29.03.2010
22:00 hrs

Glenmalur

At approximately 22:00hrs the Garda command and control centre requested the assistance of Wicklow’s mountain rescue service, to come to the aid of four hill-walkers who had become trapped by swollen rivers high up at the head of Glenmalur valley.
The group had started their walk at around tea time and had headed up towards the head of the valley following a dirt road called Table track. At the head of the track the group headed for the open mountainside on the side of Conavalla Mountain.
The group then decided to descend back into the valley floor and then back to their car, this meant that the group had to cross the Avonbeg river. Due to the heavy rain fall over the previous few day’s the river was swollen.
While trying to cross the river one of the group slipped and lost their footing, as he was being swept away one of his friends was luckily enough to be able to catch hold of the hood on his hoodie top and drag is friend to safety.
Due to his emersion in extremely cold water, the group decided to seek shelter and call for mountain rescue assistance.
The Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team and the Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team responded to the incident and set up rescue base at the Baravore car park. Hill party teams were despatched by landrover close to the incident location and walked into meet the group. Three members of the group who where showing signs of the early stages of hypothermia were given some dry clothing and walked out by Mountain Rescue personnel to an awaiting vehicle, while their friend who had suffered the cold water submersion, was suffering from hypothermia was placed in a special sleeping bag and insulation to prevent further heat loss and was stretchered off the mountain by the rescue team.
The team was stood down at approx 02:30hrs some four and half hours after the initial response.

Incident Stats