The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Lucky landing for woman who fell on Carrauntoohil
AN English tourist has been described as ‘very lucky’ after sustaining relatively minor injuries after a horror fall on Carrauntoohil.
Colm Burke, assistant PRO for Kerry Mountain Rescue, said the woman, who is in her 40s, fell some 65 feet while descending Central Gully with her friend.
“We received a call at 1.45pm on November 30,” Mr Burke told The Kerryman.
“With help from the Rescue 115 Coastguard Helicopter, we airlifted personnel and equipment from Árd na Locha to near the summit. We then abseiled to the scene, reaching her at about 3pm.
“We treated her for head and suspected spinal injuries, and then we covered 2,400ft of vertical descent by stretcher lower over extremely testing terrain.”
The woman was then carried by Land Rover to Kissane’s Cottage, before a waiting ambulance brought her to Kerry University Hospital.
“We were back at base by 10pm,” Mr Burke said, adding: “It was a challenging rescue mission with 30 members of our team involved”.
“She was discharged the following morning with a fractured nose and a few stitches, but her injuries were largely superficial.”
The woman was on holiday in Ireland. An experienced climber, Mr Burke said she was very fortunate given the nature of her fall.
“It wasn’t just the distance she fell, it was the fact that the fall happened in a very rocky part of the mountain. Seemingly less serious falls have resulted in more serious injuries.”
Mr Burke added there are hard compacted snow sections in North facing gullies, while ground on high ridges is still frozen. He urged that climbers visiting the reeks be experienced winter climbers and properly equipped.
Kerry Mountain Rescue is based on the New Road in Killarney, and was founded 50 years ago. It’s made up of 35 volunteers, and its area of operation covers the southwest of the country and 15 of Ireland’s 20 highest peaks.
The team, on duty at all times, receives up to 50 callouts a year, and half of its funding comes from private donations and fundraising efforts.
You can donate to the cause at kerrymountainrescue.ie.