Mountain rescue crews launch four operations in one day in Wicklow area

The Easter bank holiday proved a busy day on the Wicklow Mountains, as a record number of rescues were mounted in response to distress calls.

WICKLOW MOUNTAIN RESCUE teams carried out a record number of rescues yesterday covering four separate incidents.

The rescues involved the coast guard and gardaí, as well as the mountain rescue teams, according to the Glen of Imaal Red Cross mountain rescue team.

The first incident was logged at 2pm, when a woman fell on a walk in Glendalough, injuring her shoulder. Rescue crews were able to reach her and carry her down on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance within two hours.

A second woman sprained her ankle at around the same time while on the Wicklow Way and a rescue Land Rover was able to reach her and bring her back down into the valley.

The third call-out involved a walker who had fallen and injured his lower back and ribs near Lough Dan, and he was airlifted to hospital.

The final call came in at around 6pm and required a search for a 16-year-old boy who became separated from his family as they walked near Lugnaquillia. Rescue teams located him and reunited him with his family that evening.