Injured walker rescued from Comeragh Mountains in Waterford as fire broke out
The South East Mountain Rescue Association (SEMRA) detailed the incident in a post on social media
An injured walker was rescued from the Comeragh Mountains in Waterford just as a fire was breaking out in the area.
The South East Mountain Rescue Association (SEMRA) detailed the incident, which occurred on Sunday, in a post on social media.
In a post on Facebook, a spokesperson for the organisation said: “A call was received from An Garda Síochána at 16:39 to assist a fallen walker in Coumshingaun with a lower leg injury.
“Team members made their way to Kilclooney and began making their way up to the walkers’ location.
“We were sad to see smoke from wildfires pouring over the hill towards Coumshingaun. Rescue 117 was on a training flight in the area.”
They went on to outline the rescue operation which saw the walker brought down from the mountains.
“Contact was 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 R117 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 18:30.”
The rescue operation was stood down at 18:44, with everyone safely off the mountains and returning home.
Emergency services have been tackling fires in the Comeragh Mountains since Sunday afternoon.
While it was hoped that damper conditions and cooler overnight temperatures might bring an end to the blazes, a fire was still burning late last night.