Michael Dunlop in dramatic jetski rescue
TT hero Michael Dunlop was plucked from the Irish Sea on Saturday afternoon in what was a dramatic rescue off Douglas.
Dunlop had ventured offshore from Loch Promenade steps on a jetski with close friend and sponsor Martin Marlow.
‘We were offered a go on the jetski by a friend of mine, Norman Osborne,’ said local man Marlow.
‘Michael was driving and we were messing about, half-a-mile or so off Douglas Head, when I lost my grip. I grabbed Michael round the neck and we both fell off the back.
‘We went into the sea, but found that it was difficult to get back onto the jetski without it sinking under our weight.
‘We were not wearing life jackets so had to hang onto the jetski. It seemed quite funny for the first 20 minutes, but after an hour we were getting worried.’
Unaware of the dilemma at sea, friends onshore eventually raised the alarm when they failed to return. The pair were rescued by a RIB.
‘We thought we were goners for a while.’
‘When we got back to port we got a serious telling off from the Harbour Police,’ added Marlow.