Rescue 117 and emergency services called to assist injured walker on Comeragh Mountains

Emergency services successfully rescued an injured walker from the Comeragh Mountains yesterday afternoon.

At 1:27pm, members of South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association (SEMRA) received a call from Gardaí.

SEMRA were asked to assist a walker who had slipped and suffered an ankle injury whilst completing Boolas Loop with a group.

The group were well kitted out and were able to keep themselves warm and dry until the first team members arrived onto the scene.

Upon arrival, the injured walker’s ankle was splinted. They were provided with a blizzard smock for extra heat and placed into a storm shelter.

Rescue 117 was requested to assist.

A National Ambulance Service ambulance was also on the scene as a precaution in case Rescue 117 was unable able to land or winch the casualty.

Thankfully, the helicopter was successfully able to land on a piece of flat land just below the casualty site.

The casualty was carried a short distance in a stretcher down a patch of steep and rocky ground to reach the helicopter.

The casualty was then loaded in and brought to Waterford by Rescue 117 for onward transfer to hospital.

In a statement, SEMRA thanked members of the nearby Comeragh Wilderness Camp, who assisted with the rescue.

 “Huge thanks to the staff of Comeragh Wilderness Camp who helped carry gear in and out and also helped with the stretcher carry. Best wishes to the casualty, we hope they have a speedy recovery.”