TWO WALKERS HAD to be rescued from Errigal Mountain in Donegal after a New Year’s Day walk went horribly wrong.

Both walkers suffered hypothermia while one suffered a leg injury in the incident during treacherous weather conditions.

The Donegal Mountain Rescue Team (DMRT) volunteers received a call about the two distressed climbers at 2.57pm and immediately responded.

A total of 25 people were involved in the rescue mission.

A spokesperson said the rescue took place in some of the worst conditions they have encountered for a long time.

With the Rescue 118 helicopter unavailable, the team had to carry out the mission and carry the casualty off the mountain.

“With daylight fading fast and the temperature dropping, they could not get down the mountain without our help,” said a spokesperson for DMRT.

Members of the team located the casualty, stabilised the leg and gave the other walker who was with them extra layers including a cas wrap for warmth.

The casualty was transferred on to a stretcher as other members of the team arrived with the stretcher wheel.

“Through treacherous wind and sleet conditions, the uninjured walker was safely walked off the hill, while the rest of the team used ropes to navigate the stretcher to where the wheel was positioned,” the spokesperson added.

“After being joined by more members of the team and members of the Coast Guard, they successfully transported the casualty off the hill to the awaiting ambulance.”

The DMRT thanked their colleagues at the Ambulance Service, An Garda Siochana, the Irish Coastguard and the Malin Head Coastguard Station “for the incredible work done last night and we wish the casualty a speedy recovery.”