Nineteen rescuers deployed in largescale emergency operation in County Waterford

The South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association (SEMRA) carried out a largescale rescue operation at Coumshingaun on Saturday August 3.

SEMRA received a call from the National Ambulance Service just after 5pm to assist a walker with an ankle injury. A full team call out was subsequently issued at 5.15pm, to rendezvous at the mast at Kilclooney Woods.

However, a vehicle parked on the track on the way up to the woods made it awkward for the team to get past, but luckily there was just enough space available to fit through.

In light of that a SEMRA spokesperson said:  “We would ask everyone not to park at forest barriers or on forest tracks as these can be vital access points for mountain rescue.” 

The first team members on scene headed up the hill at 5.45pm and reached the casualty by 7pm. Other team members followed on carrying the stretcher and medical equipment. A total of 19 members were on the hill and all of them were needed.

By 7.30pm the casualty was placed onto the stretcher and the stretcher party began to make their way down the hill. Ropes and belays were used for the initial descent on steep ground.

The stretcher party headed for Kilclooney Bridge, as it was the most direct route off the hill, however the recent growth spurt in ferns provided a new challenge. The solution was to send team members ahead of the stretcher to flatten a path.

The casualty was transferred over to the National Ambulance Service (NAS) at 10pm and the stand down message sent. The gear was packed away back into respective vehicles and team members headed for home at 9pm.

SEMRA representatives commented: “We wish the casualty a speedy recovery. “