Caution urged after rescue
SLIGO/LEITRIM Mountain Rescue Team has urged the public to exercise caution when out and about in the aftermath of its first call out since the Covi-d19 crisis began to assist an injured cyclist who came off his bicycle at Union Wood, Ballisodare last Wednesday evening.
The Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118, based at Sligo Airport in Strandhill and ambulance personnel were also involved in the removal of the injured cyclist to Sligo University Hospital for treatment to a severe cut to his head.
It is understood the middle aged man who was cycling in the woods with his wife was not wearing a helmet at the time. A second cyclist, unconnected to the first incident was also treatment in the woods around the same time after she sustained a nasty cut to her knee. She had also been cycling in the woods with her husband. The first incident occurred around 6.30pm,m, ironically a day after the Covid-19 restrictions were eased to allow people exercise up to 5k from their homes.
Alan Sayers of Sligo/Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team explained that due to the Covid-19 crisis they are offering a limited response in terms of numbers who respond and they have to travel separately. The wife of the injured cyclist rang the emergency services and because he had falled on one of the main accessible paths near Young’s Quarry, ambulance personnel were able to get to him fairly quickly.
Rescue 118 also attended at the scene and lowered a winchman, who is also a trained paramedic, to assist. The injured man was stabilised before being brought to the ambulance and taken to SUH for treatment. The winchman was brought by the Mountain Rescue Team to the GAA grounds in Collooney where the helicopter had landed to pick him up before departing for its base in Strandhill.
“It was a very well organised, co-ordinated and prompt operation between all the services with everyone observing social distancing,” said Mr Sayers. He said he was surprised the Team hadn’t been called out sooner. “I would urge all walkers and cyclists to take every precaution when they are out. The guard is properly down a bit,” he said. It was also clear that there were inexperienced cyclists taking to mountain and wooded trails. There is a huge volume of people walking, cycling and running and with the extension of exercise limits there is a concomitant increase of risk. In tandem with other emergency agencies Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue are continuing to provide a service in a more limited form to minimise contact whilst adhering to personal protection. We are appealing to the public to remain within the limits outlined and not to engage in any hazardous activities. We would like to thank all involved in this operation including Union Woods residents and Owenmore Gaels G.A.A club for use of their grounds. We wish the injured man a speedy recovery and urge the public to remain safe and vigilant.”