21 year old student Aparajita Gupta had a near death experience on the Aran Islands in recent days.
Ms Gupta had a lucky escape as she was swept into Poll na bPeist (the worm hole) in Inis Mór while taking photographs last week. She suffered a broken ankle and is recovering in Galway University Hospital.
Ms Gupta who is from Calcutta, India and studies at London School of Economics was holidaying in Ireland with her mother when they visited the Aran Islands.
Footage by musician Brian Smith captures a gigantic wave rolling in from the Atlantic and lifting the student from the edge near the blow hole.
Gupta fell 15 metres and believes the water cushioned her as she fell and she was able to make her way to a rock and pull herself out of the water to safety.
Seamus McCarthy a paramedic from Cork witnessed the freak accident and arrived on the scene seconds later. He contacted emergency services and made a rope to reach Ms Gupta.
Irish Water Safety presented McCarthy with a “Just in time” award for his efforts.
Rescuers tied a backpack to the arm of a coat and lowered it down to pull Gupta to safety.
Today she paid tribute to those who were at the scene and their efforts in saving her.
Her father Krishnendu expressed his gratitude to all involved.