03.07.2010
16:30 hrs

Fraughan Rock Glen

Third Callout for the voluntary Mountain Rescue service in 7 days, At approx 16:30hrs on Saturday 03rd of July, Garda Command & Control contact Mountain Rescue service and inform them of a climber who has sustained a injury while rock-climbing in the Fraughan Rock Glen. Both the Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team and the Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team responded along with Wicklows Ambulance service. The rock-climber was exploring a new route on the 1500ft Benleagh cliffs. The climber fell sustaining multiple injuries including a suspected back and pelvic injuries.
Members of the mountain rescue team climbed to the injured persons position and rendered medical care to the 29 year old male who is an Irish national. The remainder of the casualty’s party was in good spirits.
Due to the seriousness of the injuries received, the remote location and the difficult terrain, Mountain Rescue requested the help of the Irish Coastguard in the form of its Search & Rescue Helicopter a Sikorsky S61 based at Dublin Airport call-sign Rescue 116.
Thankfully the weather remained clear and allowed for Rescue 116 to lower the winchman and stretcher down into the gully 160 foot below the helicopter to meet with the members of the rescue team. The helicopter deserves high praise in calmly hovering Rescue 116 dramatically close approx 6 foot to the rockface during the operation.
Once the injured rockclimber was secured into the stretcher with the winchman, Rescue 116 returned and hoisted them from the steep gully near the top of the cliffs.
Once onboard Rescue 116 the casualty was flown to Tallaght Hospital.

The following agencies assisted in this operation.
Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team
Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team
Wicklow’s Ambulance Secvice
Irish Coastguard
Gardai

Incident Stats