In a major search and rescue operation on the Galtee Mountains in County Tipperary on Sunday evening, April 26th 2009, two people were rescued and nine were assisted off the Mountains. In a five-hour operation, involving search teams from SEMRA and a search dog team from the "Search & Rescue Dog Association" (SARDA), two female walkers that had become separated from a family group were located. The two, who were very cold and wet, were found between Galtymore and Galtybeg, in what was described as terrible weather conditions. They were given clothing and food and rewarmed before they were taken off the mountain. The remainder of the family party also became lost on Galtymore, but managed to make their way into the Glen of Aherlow. As the search for the two female walkers began, four other walkers became lost on Galtymore. Fortunately for them, they were able to make their way down the mountain and be picked up by Mountain Rescue personnel, or made their own way back to their cars.
SEMRA would like to thank two hillwalkers from the UK who gave assistance in locating the two female walkers, their intervention and help saved a lot of time and was much appreciated by all. Team Leader, Michael Power, said "very poor weather conditions descended on the mountains and people who were unprepared got caught out," he reminded people that if they intend to walk in the mountains, "they should go prepared, with map & compass and the proper clothing, footwear and food, and not to rely on mobile phones to get out of trouble."
Members of South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association made their TV debuts recently when a team training day was featured in a special edition of Nationwide, RTE's long-running magazine programme. A camera crew followed the team as it went through a real-time scenario which involved deployment of personnel and equipment by the Coast Guard Sikorsky S61 helicopter, followed by a search and rescue.
In total, fifteen volunteer members of the team took part in the large-scale search for the two men who were lost, and subsequently air-lifted off Lugnaquilla this evening. SEMRA Team Leader, Michael Power, said he was proud of the commitment and dedication of the members of the team. When the pagers went off last night ten members were on their way to help in the first hour, and another five followed with team vehicles this morning. Working in some of the worst conditions ever seen on Irish mountains, mountain rescue volunteers from all over Ireland, North and South, along with two teams from Wales, managed to locate and evacuate the men to a location where they could be air-lifted to safety. Well done to all who helped over the last two days, not least for exemplifying the qualities we should value in the times ahead.
The 2009 Irish Mountain Rescue Conference & AGM took place in the Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle, County Down, hosted by the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team.
The SEMRA delegation is pictured here with distinguished guests. From left: Jimmy Barry, PRO SEMRA; Garry Farrell, Honorary Secretary, SEMRA; Deputy Mayor of Newry and Mourne City Council, Councillor Isaac Hanna; Donal McNamara, IMRA Development Officer; Liam McCabe, Chairman IMRA; Pat Holland, SEMRA; Deputy Chairman of Down District Council, Councillor William Dick; Mary Mullins, Honorary Secretary, IMRA; Mike Power, Chairman, SEMRA.
Two people were rescued from the Galtee Mountains in Tipperary on January 1st. The man and woman had contacted the Mountain Rescue team when they become lost at the top of the mountains in thick fog and in very cold conditions. The rescue team set up a search base at the top of the Black Road on the Cork side of the mountains and advised the couple to stay where they were because of fading light. In a five-hour operation, involving twenty mountain rescue volunteers and a search dog team, the couple were found safe and well, but cold. They were given hot drinks and food before being escorted back to their car. This was the second incident to which the team responded on the day. Earlier, a family had contacted the team when they became lost in fog on the top of Slievenamon in Co Tipperary. As the team responded, the fog lifted and the family were able to make their own way off the mountain.
A 61 year-old walker was airlifted to hospital by a Coast Guard helicopter from the Backstairs mountains in Carlow yesterday evening. The walker had sustained a lower leg injury while out walking with three friends. The alarm was raised at around 4pm yesterday evening, when one of the men contacted the Mountain Rescue team through the 999/112 emergency number.
The team immediately called out all its members in the South East, many of whom are from the Carlow/Kilkenny area. The walkers were able to give a team rescue co-ordinator the exact location of the accident and he contacted the MRCC (Marine Rescue Coordinating Centre)in Dublin and requested their assistance. The Coast Guard S61 helicopter based at Waterford airport, with a crew of four on board, was immediately scrambled and flew directly to the accident site and picked up the injured walker in fading light. He was flown to Waterford Regional Hospital for treatment.
Mountain Rescue Team Leader, Ann Murphy, who comes from Carlow, said "the rescue was well co-ordinated, and knowing the exact location saved a lot of time. SEMRA regularly trains with the Coast Guard helicopter and its crew, based in Waterford, and it is a fantastic asset to have in the South East, not only for incidents at sea, but in the mountains also".
SEMRA would like to thank all involved in yesterday's rescue, its own voluntary members (this is the second time in a week they have been called out), the MRCC Dublin, the Coast Guard helicopter crew for their very fast response, and the friends of the injured man for their help on the mountain.
Fantastic news from the UK where our team mates, Terry Brophy from Kilkenny and Malcolm Daly from Tipperary, were taking part in the Land Rover G4 Challenge (Irish Selection) along with 40 others from around Ireland. First place was taken by our own Malcolm Daly, while Terry wasn't very far off the top spot again this year. The two lads were put through a gruelling weekend of off-road driving, orienteering, kayaking, mountain biking, tests of strength, endurance and lateral thinking. Terry said "physically and mentally, it was one of the toughest weekends of my life, but when Malcolm was announced the winner, I could have jumped over the moon". Malcolm said, "I couldn't believe it when my name was called out, I put 110% into this weekend and to come out on top is just a dream come true." In all, five mountain rescue members from Ireland took part in the weekend, well done to all. Malcolm will be back at Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire, England, next February, to take part in the International Selection for the G4 Challenge, where he stands a realistic chance of winning and going on to represent Ireland in the Global G4 Challenge that takes place in Mongolia and the spectacular Gobi desert in 2009.
Well done Malcolm and Terry, from all your friends and team mates in SEMRA.