The volunteer Mourne Mountain Rescue Team has had a very busy Easter week with the excellent weather attracting large numbers of walkers and climbers to the Mournes.

On Easter Sunday [ 05-APR-10 ] (as previously reported), a gentleman slipped while descending Slieve Donard sustaining a lower leg fracture. With assistance from the team he was airlifted by Irish Coast Guard helicopter from the scene to Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry.

The following Thursday (8th April) an identical incident took place at the same spot on Slieve Donard, again with assistance from the Coast Guard helicopter the casualty was transferred to Daisy Hill hospital for treatment.

Saturday 10th April saw the team back in action once again, this time at Pierces Castle in the western Mournes. A gentleman slipped whilst scrambling on the summit rocks and sustained a dislocated shoulder. A doctor at the scene had to administer Morphine before the casualty could be transferred to a waiting ambulance by the team vehicle.

Next day, Sunday 11th April, the team was called to the aid of a rock climber who had taken a bad fall on the summit tors of Slieve Bearnagh. treated for his injuries, a bad leg fracture, the team had to carry him by stretcher to a place where he could be transferred to the Coast Guard helicopter to be flown again to Daisy Hill hospital.

The team would like to thank the Coast Guard and helicopter crews for their assistance in these incidents. Without them the casualties would have had to endure a long and painful stretcher carry from high on the hill.

Dave Goddard
Mourne Mountain Rescue  Team
infommrt@yahoo.com
www.mmrt.org.uk

The Mourne Mountain Rescue Team is a Registered Charity. Ref X07 19/94