At 10pm yesterday evening, the Garda Communications activated the Mountain Rescue pager system in Wicklow. Four young men had become trapped by swollen rivers high up at the head of Glenmalure valley.

The Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team and the Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team both attended the scene. The young men had begun a walk late in the afternoon following a day of heavy rain. Within sight of their car they attempted to cross the upper stages of the Avonbeg river, but after one member of the party fell in and became extremely cold, they decided to seek shelter under nearby boulders and to call the emergency services.

It was necessary to stretcher out one member of the group, while the other three were assisted on foot. After several hours the young men were brought to safety, and everyone was back off the hillside by 2am.

Mountain Rescue urge anyone going for even a short walk in the hills to carry some basic equipment – rainwear, torch, map and compass, food and water. It is important to recognise also the fact that small streams can become very swollen and dangerous in a very short time following heavy rain.

The Mountain Rescue Teams would like to thank all those who assisted on this succcessful operation.

Hugh McLindon (Public Relations Officer)
Glen of Imaal MRT
086 8520962

Paul Gilbert (Public Relations Officer)
Dublin & Wicklow MRT
087 9125835

Mountain Rescue is a registered charity
DWMRT - Charity No. : CHY 10148
GOIMRT - Charity No. : CHY 3950
Irish Mountain Rescue Association - Charity No.: CHY 10412