South Eastern Mountain Rescue (SEMRA) were contacted by Thurles Garda Station on Saturday last, September 3rd at 12.30 to assist an injured male walker high on Galtemore mountain.
The joint operation which followed involved the Coast Guard Rescue 117 helicopter, Marine Rescue Coordinating Centre, Gardai, HSE Ambulance Service and SEMRA.
The weather conditions were poor with a mix of mist, fog, wind and poor visibility. Initially it appeared that Rescue 117 would be able to extract the injured walker, who was located on the north side of Galteemore at about 800 meters.
The casualty had sustained a leg injury and was thus unable to get off the mountain. However, deteriorating weather conditions prevented an extraction by Rescue 117.
TRANSFERRED TO HOSPITAL
Tipperary based members were first on the site and they administered the casualty and prepared him for evacuation. They were joined by other members who had traveled from several locations around the south east.
Once sufficient members were on site they proceeded to carry the walker off the mountains by stretcher. The injured walker was treated by the team doctor and then removed by HSE Ambulance to hospital. All involved wish the casualty a speedy recovery.
SEMRA
South Eastern Mountain Rescue is a voluntary organisation and provides a 24 hour by 365 day service to people who are lost or injured in the mountains of the South East. The area of operations include the Galtee Mountains, The Comeragh Mountains, The Knockmealdown Mountains and the Blackstairs Mountains.
SEMRA have been called out 11 times so far in 2016. The team typically respond to about 20 call outs each year. This is the type of incident that we train for on a regular basis.
A video feed of this six hour rescue operation can be viewed on their Facebook page.
