THE NORTHWEST’S SEARCH and rescue network had a mammoth 12-hour rescue mission yesterday after a walker found himself in difficulty in southwest Donegal.
The 28-year-old man raised the alarm himself at about 1.15pm on New Year’s Day. The Malin Head Coast Guard tasked the Sligo helicopter to the area, as well as a team of at least 12 personnel.
At about 2.50pm, the casualty was located but the helicopter’s pilot was not able to winch him due to his position and the inclement weather.
A spokesperson for the Malin Head Coast Guard told TheJournal.ie this morning that the Donegal Mountain Rescue team were also called in. On their first attempt to go down the cliff, they got within about 50 metres but had no access.
They commenced a second attempt in the evening. The helicopter remained on scene to light up the area and the Aranmore Lifeboat provided extra assistance with its search lights.
The Killybegs Coast Guard Cliff Climbing team eventually recovered the injured man just after midnight.
He was taken to a nearby location for assessment by a doctor before travelling to Sligo General Hospital by ambulance.
Despite being hypothermic and having received a gash to the leg, he was still able to walk.
A serious business: the work of Ireland’s mountain rescue volunteers>
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