At approximately 15:00hrs on Saturday 27th February, the Gardai requested the assistance of mountain rescue for a lone elderly walker in the Lugnaquilla area. The walker was reportedly suffering from chest pains. Both the Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team and the Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team responded to the incident setting up a rescue base at the Baravore car park in the Glenmalur valley. Team members were rapidly deployed onto the mountain.
Due to the nature of the medical condition and the casualtys location, mountain rescue requested the assistance from the Irish Coast Guard and they scrambled their rescue helicopter call-sign “Rescue 116” based at Dublin Airport.
The elderly man was able to assist the helicopter in locating him, by means of using his mobile phone to talk with the Coast Guard control in Dublin who help guide the helicopter to his location on the mountain.
The walker who was still suffering from chest pain was airlifted and taken straight to Tallaght Hospital.
Incident Stats
Number: 2010-10
Tasking Agency: Gardai
Callout Officer: K. Roberts
Incident Date: 27-02-2010
Incident Time: 15:09hrs
Incident Type: Rescue
Incident Site Grid Ref: T 035 925
Mobile Phone Used to Alert Emergency Services: Yes
