The car that started it all went off the road four years ago
The man who started Northern Ireland’s Community Rescue Service has been surprised by having the vehicle that started it all restored as part of a TV show.
Eighteen years ago, Sean McCarry was working with the Coastguard when more and more requests began coming in to help locate missing people inland. Eventually, he decided to set up a dedicated search and rescue team.
With no formal funding, he used his own two Land Rover Defenders and equipment to establish Bann River Rescue in Coleraine. That grassroots operation eventually grew into the Community Rescue Service (CRS), which today has ten operational units across Northern Ireland and more than 220 volunteers.
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Sean’s Land Rover Defender was used for everything from riverbank operations to extreme weather rescues and played a vital role in establishing this rescue service.
It went off the road four years ago due to rear axle failure and has fallen into disrepair. Now, for this week’s episode of Car S.O.S, it’s being brought back to life and restored to the ultimate off-road rescue vehicle.
Car S.O.S. is the much-loved motoring restoration series hosted by Tim Shaw and Fuzz Townshend which combines expert vehicle rebuilds with powerful human stories.
In each episode, the duo secretly restore a cherished vehicle belonging to a deserving owner who has put others before themselves. From classic motors to family favourites, every transformation celebrates remarkable people, emotional journeys and the life-changing impact a vehicle can have.
This week, the hosts surprised local hero Sean with an emotional restoration of the vehicle that started it all. Due to the 24/7 nature of his role, the Coleraine man hasn’t had the time, headspace, or resources to restore the Defender that means so much to him.
Car S.O.S airs on National Geographic at 8pm this Thursday.
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