Injured walker is airlifted from Comeraghs amid continuing fires
Credit: South Eastern Mountain Rescue
On Sunday afternoon, South Eastern Mountain Rescue (SEMRA) received a call from An Garda Síochána at 4:39pm to assist a fallen walker with a leg injury at Coumshingaun on the Comeragh Mountains.
SEMRA team members made their way to Kilclooney and began making their way up to the walkers’ location, as smoke from wildfires was pouring over the hill towards Coumshingaun.
The Rescue 117 (R117) helicopter was called to assist as it was on a training flight nearby.
Contact was also made with the Coast Guard to request their assistance.
Team members placed a vacuum splint on the injured walker’s leg and R117 lowered a winchman to the site while the helicopter returned to base to refuel.
The injured walker was winched into the helicopter and on the way to Waterford for onward transfer to hospital at 6:30pm.
