Knocknarea rescue latest in call-out surge
THE recent easing of travel restrictions has been linked to an increase in mountain rescue incidents by Sligo-Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team.
The latest incident was a walker with an ankle fracture on Knocknarea Mountain on Sunday last.
Team PRO Alan Sayers this week urged people “to remain cautious and to continue to adhere to public health guidelines”.
He said: “Sligo-Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team, along with the other teams throughout the island, has noted a sharp increase in mountain related incidents in the past three weeks since travel restrictions were eased. We have dealt with a number of incidents recently including a walker with an ankle fracture on Knocknarea Mountain on Sunday last.”
He said that team members attended the incident along with the National Ambulance Service and were able to stabilise the casualty and then stretcher carry her to an ambulance.
Earlier in the month, on April 14, the team were called out to a hiker on Eagles Rock in Leitrim who was stuck on steep ground and needed to be escorted to safety. Mr Sayers said: “We are appealing to the public to exercise caution when going hiking. It is perfectly understandable that people are keen to go outdoors again following the lifting of the 5k travel restrictions and we are seeing huge amounts of walkers at present.” He advised people to “always be prepared before you go out on any mountain, check the weather, ensure you have the right equipment including footwear and have the appropriate skills and experience for your route”. He said: “Mountain rescue teams are very limited operationally by Covid restrictions so our response may be delayed or may be limited depending on the nature of the incident.
“We will continue to provide a service alongside our colleagues in the Coast Guard, Ambulance Service and the Gardaí, but we need the public to be patient for the immediate future and to exercise reasonable caution.”