Luggala Rescue 24/08/2013
On Saturday 24/08/2013 at 17.30hrs, the Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team and Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team responded to a 999 call from an Garda Siochana.
A group of climbers had gotten into difficulty after one of their number fell, resulting in three people being injured. Both teams tasked all available personnel to meet at the entrance of Luggala Estate. An Garda Siochana, Irish Coast Guard helicopter and HSE ambulance service were also tasked.
The Irish Coast Guard helicopter transferred Mountain Rescue technical teams, HSE and Mountain Rescue advanced paramedics to the top of the main face of the cliff. They assisted one of the climber’s who was subsequently walked off the top of the mountain to safety. The second was air lifted to hospital at approximately 20.00hrs. The rescuers then set up a series of abseils to access the third and potentially most critically injured climber. In deteriorating weather conditions and darkness the third climber was lowered from the cliff face in a stretcher and carried to an awaiting ambulance.
Two other climbers, who had been climbing alongside the original group were also assisted down from the cliff face and a third group of three were transported to rescue base.
The incident was stood down at 01.30hrs, once all casualties had been safely handed over to the HSE or returned home.
Wicklow Mountain Rescue would like to thank all agencies involved including: An Garda Siochana, Irish Coast Guard and HSE ambulance service for all their assistance during the rescue.
We would also like to thank Luggala Estate and Peter Kennedy for access to lands.
