The North West Mountain Rescue Team (NWMRT) assisted the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in the evacuation of the Glenshane pass on Tuesday night.

The NWMRT were tasked by the PSNI at 2240 on Tuesday night to assist with the location and evacuation of motorists stranded on the Glenshane pass.  As a number of vehicles were believed trapped, the NWMRT deployed their three 4x4 Landrovers and a driver and navigator for each vehicle.  Given the number of vehicles trapped, the NWMRT requested assistance from the Mournes Mountain Rescue Team (MMRT), and the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team (DMRT).  Both the MMRT and the DMRT were able to provide 2 4x4 vehicles to assist.

The teams continued working through the night in blizzard conditions, until 0500 on Wednesday morning, when the trapped motorists were all safe.

NWMRT Team Leader John Binns said "The conditions were truly Arctic, with drifting snow and high winds making driving conditions extremely hazardous for the teams."

The NWMRT wish to acknowledge the support of our colleagues from the Mourne and Donegal Mountain Rescue Teams.  Like the NWMRT, they are unpaid volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the night to assist those in need.

Also visit
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8596118.stm
and
listen to a radio interview about the rescue starting about 20:10 mark
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rq2rk

Han Fisher
Public Relations Officer
North West Mountain Rescue Team
Mobile: +447812112246
Email: pro@nwmrt.org