Teens missing in Fermoy forestry located by heat-seeking scanner
HEAT Seeking equipment aboard a rescue helicopter proved to be instrumental in tracking down two teenagers who got lost while walking in a densely wooded area near Fermoy last Sunday evening.
The alarm was raised at around 6pm when one of the teenagers sent out a text saying that they had become disorientated after going for an afternoon walk in Glanabo Woods and that their mobile phone batteries were running low.
Neither of the missing teens were equipped with overnight walking or camping equipment.
As it grew dark and with heavy overnight rain forecast fears for the safety of the teens grew. A massive search and rescue operation swung into action coordinated by local Gardaí focussing on the forests in the Glanabo, Deerpark and Corrin areas.
Volunteers from Cork City Missing Person Search and Rescue, members of the Fermoy Fire Brigade and National Ambulance and off-duty members of the Defence Forces also participated in the search.
The Irish Coast Guard ‘Rescue 115’ Sikorsky all-weather search and rescue helicopter, which is equipped with infra-red heat seeking equipment and high beam searchlights, was also tasked to the scene from its base at Shannon.
At around 1pm the crew of the helicopter reported they had identified two heat sources in an area of heavy woodland on the western side of Fermoy and was able to guide members of the search team to the locations of the teenagers from overhead.
After being led out of the forestry they were given precautionary medical treatment.
Although uninjured a Garda spokesman said they were shocked by the ordeal.
“As the hours dragged on there were genuine concerns for the safety and well-being of the teenagers, particularly given the fact that heavy rain had been forecast. It goes to show just how easy it is to become confused and disorientated in heavily-wooded areas. They can all look the same when you move away from the footpaths,” said the spokesman. “With the winter weather closing in, it also serves as a lesson for people to be well prepared when they go out walking in forested areas,” he added.