Emergency services locate lost walkers near Coumshingaun in county Waterford

It was a busy day for South Eastern Mountain Rescue (SEMRA), as they responded to incidents on two different mountain ranges.

The first call was received at 15:37pm on Saturday, and concerned a walker on the Galtees who had become disorientated in the mist and poor visibility. 

SEMRA team members began to make their way to the location, when a second call came in just minutes later, concerning three walkers lost on the Comeraghs in county Waterford. 

The team had to divide resources between the two incidents. 

Seven team members made their way up the walker's location on the Galtees, who was thankfully uninjured, but wet and cold. 

The walker was escorted out to a waiting Land Rover and then driven back to their own car. 

Meanwhile in Coumshingaun, three walkers doing the loop walk overshot the path to descend and ended up lost. 

Rescue 117 responded and sighted the three walkers. 

SEMRA members in contact with Rescue 117 and the walkers were able to confirm it was the right group. 

Rescue 117 brought the walkers down to a field near Kilclooney bridge, where they were collected by An Garda Síochána and brought back to their car. 

A SEMRA spokesperson reminded walkers to take extra caution during cold winter months:

"Please remember that while the snow looks pretty it’s also very cold and very slippy the higher up the mountain you go. Please bring extra layers, gloves and hats and wear hiking boots so that if you do get lost or have a fall, you can at least keep yourself warm until we get there."