If you are aware of any further details of any of these
callouts, particularly those in the early years, please send an
e-mail detailing what you
know. This would assist us greatly in 'filling in the blanks'.
Thank you!
January 1990. Dingle. Assistance.
A local boatman became stranded on a cliff ledge at
Beenbane following the break-up of his half decker on rocks. The
Team were requested to evacuate the man but the Air Corps carried
out the evacuation minutes before the arrival of the Team.
21st January 1990. Killarney. Fatality (non-mountain).
The Team responded to a request to recover the body
of a local man from the River Flesk. He had been missing since
mid-December and the recovery concluded an intensive search by
various local individuals and organisations.
7th February 1990. Torc. Search.
The Team were called out to search for a man missing
on the South side of Torc after he strayed from his party. A preliminary
search was carried out along with Gardaí and National Park
staff and the man was located cold and tired near Tower wood.
13th February 1990. Kenmare. Alert.
A forestry worker failed to return to his base at Carks,
but whilst plans were being drawn up for a search the man turned
up elsewhere.
18th February 1990. Co. Limerick. Fatality (non-mountain).
Following the drowning of a canoeist in an accident
on the River Shannon, the Team were requested to co-ordinate the
recovery of the body from a flooded island. The Gardaí,
Air Corps, Civil Defence and local canoeists were also involved.
March 1990. McGillycuddy Reeks. Rescue.
The Team were alerted after an English walker suffered
exhaustion in Cummeen gCaorach and his friend raised the alarm.
In atrocious winds the Team evacuated the casualty by stretcher
to Coolroe, arriving at 3.00am following several pitches of roped
stretcher lowering. One Team member suffered a head injury due
to a wind-related fall.
27th May 1990. McGillycuddy Reeks. Fatality.
An English walker suffered a heart attack close to
Cummeenapeasta. A Cork backpackers group attempted resuscitation
before the Air Corps evacuated the casualty, who was certified
dead on arrival at hospital.
27th May 1990. McGillycuddy Reeks. Alert.
The Team were requested to search for a party of three
from Cork, which included an eight year old boy. A preliminary
search had just been initiated when the party turned up just before
darkness fell.
6th June 1990. Brandon. Alert.
A 23 year old professional photographer from Germany
became separated from his friend on the Eastern pilgrim route.
After initial groundwork by the Team and the Gardaí, the
callout was put on standby as the helicopter was en route to Cork
to pick up SARDA dogs. The Team were about to resume the search
when the man descended unaided.
11th June 1990. Carrauntoohil. Search.
A dawn search was initiated for a Newcastle doctor
following his failure to return from the hill the previous day.
The Air Corps helicopter located him camping in the Hag's Glen.
23rd June 1990. Mount Eagle. Fatality.
The Team were requested to co-ordinate a large-scale
search of the Mount Eagle area for a missing farmer. SARDA dogs
from Wales and Northern Ireland were also used, after being transported
here by the RAF. The man's body was located, having suffered an
apparent heart attack.
15th August 1990. Conor Pass. Search.
The Team were requested at noon to search for two German
walkers who were believed to be on the hills to the East of the
Connor Pass (their car having been unattended since the previous
day). After an initial recce the Shannon helicopter was requested
to assist in the search, however soon after this a Team member
located the missing pair, who had become benighted near Glentenassig.
21st August 1990. Tomies. Rescue.
A 17 year old English walker suffered from exhaustion
and exposure on the Northern slopes, and was quickly reached by
an advance Team party who began evacuation. As the main stretcher
party neared the site the Air Corps managed to airlift the casualty
to hospital in the final minutes of daylight.
21st August 1990. Tomies. Search.
A party of 1 man and 3 women went missing whilst attempting
to walk from Gearhameen to Tomies along the lakeshore. An all
night search was made, which was joined by National Park staff,
local boatmen and SARDA dogs at first light. The group were finally
located by an Air Corps crewman in a clearing surrounded by Rhododendrons
on the Western slopes of Glena and were airlifted out.
23rd August 1990. Ardgroom. Fatality (non-mountain).
The body of a local farmer who had been reported missing
the previous evening was located on the seashore in Kilmacalogue
harbour shortly before the Team's arrival to co-ordinate a search.
28th August 1990. Carrauntoohil. Assistance.
An English walker suffering from an old back injury
was severely handicapped on his descent down the Devil's Ladder.
A Team member met him and descended for further help. The man
was assisted to an awaiting National Park landrover as darkness
fell.
31st December 1990. Glenteenassig. Rescue.
A Cork climber suffered a broken femur after being
avalanched down a gully. An advance party reached him and administered
first aid before he was stretchered off just before midnight.
31st January 1991. Carrauntoohil. Rescue.
A Cork walker became separated from his group, and
after failing to climb Central Gully due to hard ice became cragfast
on Central Buttress. An advance party located him just before
midnight and brought him to safety.
3rd August 1991. Carrauntoohil. Rescue.
A hillwalker, having parted from her husband at the
top of the Devil's Ladder, climbed to the summit but went off
route on descent and got into difficulties over Curraghmore Lake.
After an all night search the Team located her the following morning
and evacuated her to an awaiting helicopter at the lake.
8th August 1991. Loo Bridge. Rescue.
Two girls became cragfast on the cliffs above the Loo
Bridge youth hostel, and were escorted to safety by the Team.
12th August 1991. Annascaul. Rescue.
A French tourist got into difficulties on the steep
ground above Annascaul Lake and was lowered to safety by the Team.
19th August 1991. Torc. Alert.
The Team was alerted after a hillwalker was benighted,
but the walker returned before the search got underway.
3rd November 1991. Tralee. Alert.
Gardaí reported the sighting of a flare near
Tralee but were unsure whether the flare came from the mountain
or from a boat. The Team decided to standby but no further action
was taken.
10th November 1991. Gougane Barra. Alert.
Thirteen walkers from a Cork club got into difficulties
in poor light. The Team responded but the walkers managed to get
to safety before the Team arrived.
12th November 1991. Beenoskee. Search.
A local farmer reported seeing an abandoned tent near
Beenoskee, and a search was undertaken with all parties eventually
meeting up at the tent. A search of the contents revealed a local
address and following up on this information the Gardaí
located the owner in Cloghane.
26th December 1991. Ballaghasheen. Search.
Three people out for a walk failed to return home before
dark and a search of the area was undertaken. The party were located
after about an hour in the woods on the Waterville side of the
pass.
27th March 1992. Carrauntoohil. Rescue.
An English walker was heard calling for help late in
the evening by other walkers descending the Devil's Ladder. Following
a Team search of the area between the Devil's Ladder and the Heavenly
Gates he was located, having sustained a broken leg above the
ankle. After a long stretcher carry he was airlifted from Ard
na Locha.
29th April 1992. Mangerton. Alert.
The Team was put on standby after three fell runners
failed to return from a run on Mangerton. They were eventually
located in Kilgarvan and the Old Kenmare Road, having become separated.
June 1992. Bridia Valley. Alert.
The Team was put on standby when a walker on the Kerry
way became separated from her companion. The Gardaí located
her near Lough Acoose.
June 1992. Croagh Patrick. Alert.
The Team was asked to assist in a search for a walker
on Croagh Patrick, but the walker was located before the Team
departed.
6th July 1992. Mangerton. Search.
The Team was called on to search for a walker who became
separated from her companions near the summit. Following a search
which also involved National Park staff and the helicopter she
was located uninjured near the Old Kenmare Road.
12th July 1992. Carrauntoohil. Fatality.
The Team was alerted after a walker failed to return
to Cronin's Yard after a planned ascent of the mountain. Her body
was located during a search of the Curraghmore area and was subsequently
stretchered down to Ard na Locha, transferred to the unimog and
handed over to Gardaí.
19th July 1992. Carrauntoohil. Alert.
The alarm was raised when an 18 year old walker got
separated from his family while descending the mountain. While
the facts were being verified with the family the missing man,
who had made his way down the Curraghmore side, arrived at Cronin's
Yard.
26th August 1992. Shehy/Glena. Alert.
The Gardaí called the Team with a report of
a large group of people overdue on a walk from the Gap of Dunloe
to Muckross. Having spent a wet night in the Glena area they made
their own way to the Kenmare Road in the morning.
4th September 1992. Carrauntoohil. Alert.
A group of walkers reported hearing shouts for help
coming from the Cummeenoughter area. On verifying the story with
them it transpired that the shouts were also accompanied by whistles
and dog barks. As nobody was reported missing and there were no
abandoned cars it was assumed that they had heard local sheep
farmers.
8th September 1992. Glanmore. Search.
Two German hostellers who had gone hillwalking from
the Glanmore Lake hostel failed to return for two nights. A search
was initiated with the assistance of the helicopter. Late in the
afternoon it was learned that they had camping equipment with
them and they returned to the hostel soon afterwards.
16th |September 1992. McGillycuddy Reeks. Alert.
A report was made to Gardaí that a walker who
went out on the Reeks earlier that day had not returned. On ringing
Cronin's Yard it transpired that two others were also missing.
While a recce of the access road was being made by Gardaí
the three turn up at Cronin's Yard together and uninjured.
26th December 1992. Carrauntoohil. Alert.
The Team was alerted following an accident in which
a young girl hurt her ankle. As she was able to travel with the
help of her companions no Team involvement was deemed necessary.
7th January 1993. Mangerton. Alert.
Locals reported seeing lights on the mountain and the
Team was alerted, but it later transpired that two people were
on a night climb.
8th January 1993. Coomaciste Pass. Alert.
The Team was put on standby after a road accident in
which a vehicle left the road, but the call was later cancelled.
9th January 1993. Ballaghasheen. Rescue.
A local man had fallen near Coombaha lake and following
a four hour stretcher carry by the Team he was transferred to
hospital.
12th February 1993. Tomies. Search.
The Team was called on after a walker had failed to
return from a walk from Tomies to Dinis. Following a difficult
search through thick rhododendron he was located and brought by
boat from Glena to Dinis Cottage.
9th June 1993. McGillycuddy Reeks. Alert.
The Team was called after a Scotsman failed to return
from a walk in the Eastern Reeks. As the Team assembled in Cronin's
Yard the missing man turned up, having walked from Lough acoose.
8th August 1993. Caherdaniel. Search.
Four youngsters who were walking the Waterville to
Caherdaniel section of the Kerry Way failed to arrive, and were
located in the dark on the Caherdaniel side of the Windy Gap.
17th October 1993. Clydagh Valley. Alert.
The Team was called when a local sheep farmer failed
to return from the Paps. The call was cancelled as the Team were
preparing to move.
27th December 1993. Carrauntoohil. Alert.
The Team was alerted after a walker went missing from
his group. As the Team assembled at Lisleibane a report came in
that he had been found and brought down safely by another walker.
2nd January 1994. Mullaghanattin. Rescue.
A young Dublin hillwalker broke her leg on the ridge.
The IMES helicopter was unable to carry out a rescue due to strong
winds, and the Team then lowered the casualty on a stretcher down
some very dangerous ground.
6th April 1994. Carrauntoohil. Fatality.
The body of a young climber was discovered on snow
at the foot of a gully close to the start of Curved Gully. He
was stretchered down to Ard na Locha and transferred to the Unimog.
16th April 1994. Barley Lake. Alert.
The Team was called when two scouts went missing during
a camp at the Lake. As Team members were being called out the
boys turned up uninjured.
12th November 1994. Muckross. Search.
A search of the Muckross lakeshore was carried out
after a local canoeist had gone missing earlier in the week. The
search was carried out in conjunction with the Civil Defence and
other locals, but proved fruitless. His body was eventually found
in spring 1995.
23rd December 1994. McGillycuddy Reeks. Fatality.
The Team was called out by a walker after his companion
had sustained a serious fall at the back of Lough Gooch. When
the walker left the scene to raise the alarm the casualty was
still alive, however when the Team arrived at the location some
time later he had sadly passed away and the body was subsequently
stretchered down to the valley floor.
5th March 1995. Carrauntoohil. Search.
Two Tralee climbers failed to return from a trip on
the mountain, and an advance party made their way to the second
level of Cummeenoughter where the pair had been seen earlier in
the day. When the main Team arrived at Ard na Locha, lights were
seen at the bottom of the Devil's Ladder, which proved to be the
missing climbers.
9th April 1995. Carrauntoohil. Assistance.
The Team was called after a UCC walker fell down the
Coomloughra side of the Beenkeeragh Ridge in icy conditions and
the remainder of the party retreated down the Hag's Glen to raise
the alarm, having deemed it too risky to attempt to descend to
their fallen companion. After a seemingly miraculous escape the
man (who had apparently tumbled 600 feet and had been knocked
unconscious for a short time) was located by Team members making
his own way down the hydro track with multiple bruises.
10th June 1995. Mangerton. Search.
Following the discovery of an abandoned tent, a general
search of the Horses Glen/Devil's Punch Bowl area was made in
conjunction with SARDA, followed by a detailed line search covering
several square kilometers around the tent. Neither search revealed
anything, and the owner of the tent identified himself to Gardaí
in Limerick several days later.
20th June 1995. Mangerton. Search.
The Team was called to assist in a search after a local
woman disappeared into woods near her home in a distressed state.
Following several hours of searching the woman was located uninjured.
20th August 1995. Slieve Mish. Alert.
Tralee Gardaí alerted the Team after three teenagers
who had gone climbing had failed to return. The Team was mobilised
but whilst en route to Tralee the three turned up uninjured and
the callout was stood down.
27th September 1995. Brandon. Search.
Tralee Gardaí called the Team after a walker who had intended
to climb the mountain, spend the night on the summit and return
the following day had not arrived back as planned. The Team commenced
an extensive search of the area before a member of Dingle CCRS
reported that he had picked up the man uninjured on the Brandon
Creek road.
22nd October 1995. Lauragh. Search.
A local farmer and his brother had got separated on
the mountain and one man failed to return. An advance party and
search dog carried out a preliminary search in the dark, but found
nothing, and a full scale search was launched at first light.
At 14.30 the missing man was located very cold and wet, but otherwise
uninjured, and was transferred to hospital for medical assessment.
30th December 1995. Purple Mountain. Alert.
The Team was alerted after a group of walkers failed
to return to Kate Kearney's after leaving a note with an estimated
time of arrival. Following some investigations the three were
located in their holiday cottage having failed to inform Kate
Kearney's of their safe return.
16th January 1996. Kilcummin. Alert.
The Gardaí requested the assistance of the Team
in searching for a farmer who had gone missing from the Kilcummin
area, but it was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the
Civil Defence. The Team was stood down after the man's body was
recovered several days later.
24th January 1996. Mangerton. Alert.
The Team was notified after two people failed to return
by nightfall from an orienteering-style event in the Stumpacommeen
area. An advance party en route to the area met the group and
was advised that the missing people had been located.
17th March 1996. Carrauntoohil. Alert.
The Tralee Gardai requested the Team's assistance when
five walkers had failed to return by their due time of 6pm. One
of the walkers advised the Team of their safe return shortly afterwards.
17th March 1996. Carrauntoohil. Alert.
The Team was alerted to the possibility that four climbers
on Howling Ridge were in need of assistance. Information received
from various sources indicated that the climbers did not in fact
require assistance however, and they returned safely at 3.15am.
24th March 1996. Brandon. Search.
The Team was called when a family of four did not return
to a car they had left in Cloghane having gone to climb Mt. Brandon.
A search was initiated at dawn and included members of Dingle
CCRS and the IMES helicopter. Following an appeal on local radio
a report that the family had spent the night in Dingle was confirmed
and the search was called off.
13th April 1996. Conor Pass. Fatality.
The Team was called when a ten year old boy failed
to return from a climb at Pedlar's Lake. The IMES helicopter and
the Dingle CCRS were also called but neither could be of assistance
due to adverse weather. The Team proceeded to search the spur
where the boy had last been seen, but found nothing. Some time
later, a search dog Team searching the area at the back of the
lake reported finding the boy's body. He was stretchered from
the mountain and handed over to an undertaker.
12th May 1996. Caherdaniel. Alert.
The Team was contacted when a group from an outdoor
pursuits centre walking in the Caherdaniel area were reported
long overdue. While the Team were speaking to the person that
reported the incident the group returned safe and well.
8th August 1996. Brandon. Alert.
The Team was called by a Cloghane publican saying that
two people who had set out to climb Brandon that morning were
overdue. As a callout was being initiated the two people arrived
back safely..
23rd August 1996. McGillycuddy Reeks. Fatality.
A local guesthouse owner reported to the Gardaí
that an Englishman who had booked in the previous day had not
returned. A search for his car was undertaken, and when it was
located at Kate Kearney's a full scale search was initiated. The
Team was deployed on various routes on the Eastern Reeks and on
the Purple/Tomies range. Shortly after 8pm the man's body was
found above Cummeenapeasta Lake, having fallen from the ridge,
and was stretchered down in darkness. His dog was brought down
safely from the ridge the following Sunday. A rucksack containing
the man's belongings was finally found in late January 1999 and
was returned to the family.
25th August 1996. Black Valley. Assistance.
As the Team were training in the Gap of Dunloe a call
came that a man had suffered a heart attack on the Black Valley
section of the Kerry Way, and that ambulance personnel had experienced
difficulty in reaching him. The Team responded but matters were
under control when Team members arrived at the scene.
28th August 1996. Gougane Barra. Assistance.
The Gardai called the Team after a man broke his ankle
on the mountains near Gougane Barra. The Team was mobilised, as
was the IMES helicopter, and as the Team were making their way
to the scene the helicopter collected the casualty and transferred
him to hospital in Cork.
18th September 1996. Carrauntoohil. Alert.
The Team was contacted by a local guesthouse owner
when an English couple, who had gone climbing Carrauntoohil earlier
in the day, had not returned. The Gardai were notified and asked
to check Cronin's yard. At about 10pm the couple returned to the
guesthouse.
29th September 1996. Caher. Alert.
A group of 12 to 14 people from Dublin, who had parked
cars in the Bridia Valley and gone climbing, failed to return
that evening. The Team assembled at the Climbers' Inn, where a
man (who realised that it might be his group the Team were called
to look for) made himself known. He informed the Team that the
group had gone backpacking on Saturday and were planning to return
on Sunday. Having ascertained this, the callout was cancelled.
30th December 1996. Slieve Mish. Alert.
A walker who had gone ahead of his group failed to
make contact with them later, and the Team was called. As the
day was clear and the missing man was an experienced walker it
was decided to delay the mobilisation of the Team until the roads
on both sides of the mountains were checked. The Gardaí
later reported that the man had been located uninjured and the
Team was stood down.
19th January 1997. Coomasaharn. Alert.
Two teenagers and a seven year old who had gone for
a walk around Coomasaharn Lake had not returned to their car by
8.30pm. As locals were carrying out an initial search of the area
at the time of the call, it was decided not to mobilise the full
Team until the results of this search were known. At 10pm the
Gardaí reported that the trio had been located uninjured.
6th May 1997. Carrauntoohil. Rescue.
A mobile phone call was received from the bottom of
the Devil's Ladder requesting help for a person with an injured
ankle. The injury was treated by Team members and the injured
person was carried in the Unimog to Lisleibane. He was then taken
by car to a doctor in Milltown.
26th May 1997. Carrauntoohil. Alert.
The Gardaí called the Team after reports of
an injured person on Carrauntoohil. The Team was mobilised but
a short time later the person walked out unaided.
19th June 1997. Carrauntoohil. Alert.
A party of three was reported overdue from a climb
of Carrauntoohil, and the Team was put on standby. After about
an hour the party returned and the callout was cancelled.
27th June 1997. Gap of Dunloe. Rescue.
The Team was called to evacuate a English walker who
had injured her ankle near the top of Strickeen, and the injured
person was subsequently stretchered off and handed over to an
awaiting ambulance. On the descent, another member of the party
slipped and injured her leg, and was also assisted and handed
over to the ambulance.
13th July 1997. McGillycuddy Reeks. Assistance.
The Team was called when a walker injured her ankle
whilst crossing the Cummeenapeasta Ridge. The Team was mobilised
and the IMES helicopter was called. As the Team was making it's
way to the site the helicopter rescued the injured person.
8th August 1997. Carrauntoohil. Alert.
The Team was alerted after a walker reported passing
two people on the Devil's Ladder travelling very slowly and apparently
in some difficulty. It was ascertained that they had a car at
Cronins yard, and when the Gardaí checked the area the
car had gone. At this stage the callout was cancelled.
6th September 1997. Lauragh. Alert.
The Gardaí called the Team after the reported
sighting of a flare in the Lauragh area. Following a number of
phone calls it was ascertained that a local farmer was burning
scrub in the area of the sighting and as no other report was received
the callout was cancelled.
28th September 1997. Crohane. Rescue.
The Team was mobilised and the IMES helicopter was
called after Gardaí reported that a French student, walking
in the Crohane area with a group from Cork, had dislocated his
knee. Following first aid treatment the casualty was lowered by
stretcher about 400 feet to Lough Nabroda from where he was airlifted
to Tralee hospital.
28th September 1997. McGillycuddy Reeks. Alert.
The Team was alerted by the Killarney Gardaí
after a Meath registered car was still found to be at Cronins
yard at 9.45pm. After some initial enquiries it was determined
that they were staying at the Climber's Inn and had been in contact
with the proprieter to say that they were safe but would be down
late. At this stage the callout was cancelled.
3rd November 1997. Tomies. Alert.
Following a report of lights being seen in the Tomies
area the Gardaí called the Team. As most of the Team were
at a funeral that evening, National Park staff were requested
to check the paths in the area. The head Park Ranger called back
later to report that a digging machine had been operating in the
area and that this accounted for the lights.
29th December 1997. Carrauntoohil. Rescue.
The Killarney Gardaí received a call via mobile
phone from a party of walkers on Carrauntoohil to say that they
were experiencing difficulty in finding their way off the mountain.
The assistant co-ordinator of the Team called the party and gave
them directions for the top of the Devil's Ladder. On contacting
the party again some 20 minutes later it was established that
they were on the top of the Ladder but still in difficulty. At
this stage the call signal broke down and could not be re-established.
As darkness was setting in it was decided to send a small Team
to meet them. On arriving at Cronin's yard the Team met the missing
party.
13th April 1998. Carrauntoohil. Rescue.
The Team was called when a group of five climbers from
Limerick, Germany and Holland were reported in difficulty on Howling
Ridge due to ice. On contacting others in the party who were at
Cronin's yard, it was established that the missing group had since
been seen signalling from the summit of Carrauntoohil. After unsuccessful
attempts to establish whether the group were still there or not,
it was decided to send search parties on various possible descent
routes. At 2am the missing climbers were found on the summit in
sub-zero temperatures, and were subsequently escorted down via
the Devil's Ladder (on which a rope was used for assistance in
the icy conditions).
4th May 1998. Mullaghanattin. Alert.
Following a report from Gardaí at 11.15pm that
a lone walker who had parked his car in the Pocket that morning
had failed to return, the Team was put on callout for 6am the
following morning. As the Team was leaving Killarney, the local
Gardaí reported that the car had been removed during the
night. At this stage the callout was cancelled.
19th July 1998. Carrauntoohil. Rescue.
At 1am Killarney Gardaí reported that two experienced
English walkers had started the Reeks walk the previous day intending
to finish in the Climber's Inn that evening, but had failed to
arrive. From 7am onwards the Team searched the various sections
of the couple's planned route in appalling conditions. As the
people were not found in the initial search, Teams were then sent
to search various cooms, and it was during a search of the Coomloughra
area that the missing persons were eventually heard blowing whistles
from just below the Beenkeeragh ridge at 8.30pm, having spent
over 24 hours waiting out the bad weather after becoming lost
and cragfast. They were walked off to safety.
23rd July 1998. McGillycuddy Reeks. Search.
A 14 year old boy who had started the Reeks walk with
a group had descended into the Black Valley to finish the walk
along the Kerry Way to Lough Acoose. When he did not arrive at
the lake the group contacted the Gardaí who then called
the Team. During a search of the access roads the youth was located.
1st August 1998. McGillycuddy Reeks. Alert.
The Team was called when a number of people were reported
overdue at Cronin's yard. As the Team was being mobilised the
Gardaí located the missing walkers at Lough Acoose.
8th August 1998. McGillycuddy Reeks. Alert.
The Gardaí called the Team after a flare was
apparently sighted over the Eastern Reeks. Following consultation
with the Gardaí no further action was taken, as no one
had been reported missing .
3rd September 1998. Kenmare. Alert.
At 1.30am the Killarney Gardaí requested the
assistance of the Team in searching for an eleven year old boy,
who had been reported missing in the Templenoe area. The Team
was mobilised at first light, but shortly afterwards the Gardaí
reported that the boy had been found uninjured.
12th September 1998. Killarney. Fatality (non-mountain).
The Team was asked by Gardaí to co-ordinate
a search for a local youth who had been missing since the previous
Sunday night. Areas around Muckross and Knockreer as well as the
lake shore and the Flesk river downstream from Whitebridge were
searched in conjunction with the Civil Defence and the Killarney
Water Rescue unit. During a further search the following Saturday
his body was located trapped under a tree branch in the Flesk
river by Team members searching with the aid of canoes. The body
was recovered with the assistance of the Killarney Water Rescue
unit.
12th September 1998. Mullaghanattin. Rescue.
At 3.30pm during the previous search, the Team was
called after a member of a party of fifteen from Cork had sustained
a broken ankle while climbing Mullaghanattin. The party had descended
with the casualty for a considerable distance by the time the
Team arrived, at which point she was treated, transferred to a
stretcher and carried the remaining distance to a field from where
the IMES helicopter evacuated her to Tralee hospital.
13th September 1998. Purple Mountain. Rescue.
A member of a Kinsale party climbing Purple mountain
collapsed due to suspected hypothermia. Her party, together with
some local people managed to carry her on a ladder some distance
down the mountain, to a point at which she was met by the Team,
treated and transferred to a stretcher. In darkness the Team evacuated
her the remaining distance to Gearhameen from where she was taken
by ambulance to hospital in Tralee.
11th October 1998. Mangerton. Alert.
The Team was alerted after two members of a scout group
got separated from their party whilst climbing Mangerton. While
initial inquiries were being made the missing teenagers turned
up uninjured at Killarney Garda station.
12th November 1998. Killarney. Assistance.
Team members were called to administer first aid following
an accident at the climbing wall when a climber attached herself
to the rope incorrectly and subsequently fell from the top of
the wall as she leaned back and put her weight onto the rope.
Following several anxious seconds a pulse was detected from the
unconscious climber (who also had three fractured vertebrae),
and she was stabilised until an ambulance arrived.
15th November 1998. Lough Acoose. Rescue.
The Team were alerted after a German walker from Caragh
Village broke her ankle on the Lack Road. When the Team arrived
she was being evacuated down the track by a local man in a tractor.
The Team applied a splint to the broken ankle and completed the
evacuation to hospital.
29th December 1998. Carrauntoohil. Rescue.
Five Dublin teenagers had been camping in Cummeenoughter
when their tent blew down in fierce weather. They abandoned most
of their equipment and made their way to the shelter hut, from
where two of them managed to descend and raise the alarm the following
day. The Team escorted the other three exhausted boys from the
hill.
30th December 1998. Derrycunnihy. Alert.
The Team were put on standby after two young children
from Tralee became separated from an adult in the Derrycunnihy
area. As plans were being drawn up the children turned up safe
and well.
30th December 1998. Shehy. Rescue.
Two ladies from Dublin became separated from their
companion whilst descending Shehy Mountain and became lost and
benighted. A preliminary operation managed to pinpoint the location
of the pair above Glaisín na Marbh, and the Team made their
way to the location from the Tomies side in atrocious conditions
(it was not possible to approach from the Dinis side due to flooding).
The final approach to the location was directed using radio communications
from a Team member observing from close to the five mile bridge.
The pair were escorted back to the awaiting unimog.
11th February 1999. Torc. Alert.
The Team was alerted after the Gardaí received
a vague mobile phone message regarding an incident in the Torc
area. Before the details could be ascertained the female caller
was cut off and could not be recontacted. As the Team assembled
at the top Torc car park the caller was finally contacted and
informed the Team that the missing man had turned up safe and
well after being delayed on the track traversing the North face
of the mountain. The man had arrived safely down some time previously
but his companion had failed to notify the Gardaí or the
Team of his safe return.
28th February 1999. Gougane Barra. Rescue.
The Team was called upon when the leader of a group
of walkers high above Gougane Barra slipped and broke her ankle.
She was stretchered off the mountain and handed over to an ambulance,
which continued her evacuation to hospital in Cork.
17th March 1999. Ballydesmond. Alert.
The Gardaí requested the assistance of the Team
in searching for a man in a highly distressed state in woodlands
north of Ballydesmond. Whilst a plan was being discussed the man
was found and the callout cancelled.
27th March 1999. Carrauntoohil. Assistance.
Two young climbers, one from Dublin and one French
had set out to climb Howling Ridge but began to climb Primroses
by mistake. High on the route a dislodged rock hit one of the
pair causing facial and arm injuries and resulting in a short
period of unconsciousness. Passers by were alerted by shouts and
the Team were called. After alerting the IMES helicopter, an advance
party climbed the route to the injured man whilst the main group
began to prepare for a possible cableway evacuation. In fading
light, the helicopter succeeded in winching the two men from their
precarious position, aided by a near absence of wind.
8th May 1999. McGillycuddy Reeks. Alert.
Killarney Gardaí called the Team reporting that
two Dutch people who had left the Climbers Inn to climb over Caher
and Carrauntoohil had not reached their destination in the Black
Valley. Earlier in the evening they had called the Climbers Inn
saying that one of them had injured himself on barbed wire. Efforts
to phone them again failed. As a search of the access roads got
underway they arrived safely in the Black Valley.
17th May 1999. Carrauntoohil. Fatality.
At 15.45 the Killarney Gardaí called on the
Team to recover the body of a walker (who had suffered an apparent
heart attack) from the Devil's Ladder. Following a stretcher carry
and slope lower the body was transported in the Unimog to Lisleibane
where it was handed over to the Gardaí and undertaker.
18th May 1999. Carrauntoohil. Rescue.
A walker returning from Carrauntoohil noticed a distress
signal coming from the east face of the mountain. She subsequently
called the Gardaí, who alerted the Team. A small advance
party went to check the area whilst the rest of the Team was put
on standby. On reaching the 'first level' a man was seen stranded
on a ledge low down on the face, having made a seemingly miraculous
descent to get down as far as the point where he had eventually
become cragfast. As he was uninjured, Team members climbed to
him and lowered him to safety.
6th June 1999. McGillycuddy Reeks. Alert.
The Team was called when a person suffered a broken
hand whilst walking with a group in the Curraghmore area. The
Team was mobilised but the callout was cancelled shortly afterwards
as the person had made their own way down to safety.
18th August 1999. Gougane Barra. Alert.
Macroom Gardaí called the Team to assist in
the evacuation of a walker who had suffered a lower leg injury.
As the Team was assembling at Gougane Barra the callout was cancelled
after locals had succeeded in bringing down the casualty safely.
26th August 1999. Black Valley. Alert.
The Team was called by Killarney Gardaí when
a walker who had left a group in the Black Valley to walk to Ladies
View had not reached his destination. The callout was cancelled
soon afterwards as the Gardaí found the man on the Kenmare
road.
9th September 1999. Gougane Barra. Rescue.
A group of 7 English walkers (comprising a mother and
father, three grown-up children, a daughter-in-law and a family
friend) attempted the horseshoe but became separated. One of the
group arrived in Kilgarvan and raised the alarm, and the Team
were called at 11.30pm. On arrival shouts were heard from steep
ground at the back of the coom and a short search resulted in
the location and rescue of one group member, who was unaware of
the whereabouts of the others, having last seen them about 8hrs
previously. A further search resulted in the location of the main
group a considerable distance away, after they had used their
camera flash to attract attention. Cold and tired but otherwise
unhurt, they were walked off to safety, arriving down at 6am.
16th September 1999. Hags Glen. Rescue.
Killarney Gardaí called the Team with a report
of a walker having broken his femur following a fall into the
Gaddagh river. The Team stretchered the casualty to Lisleibane
and handed him over to an awaiting ambulance.
27th October 1999. McGillycuddy Reeks. Alert.
The Team were alerted when a group of English walkers
were overdue from a climb of Coomloughra. It was decided to send
two Teams to search the Hag's Glen and the hydro track. As these
Teams were about to set off the party returned safely.
7th November 1999. Tomies Wood. Rescue.
The Team was called when a group of walkers who had
intended walking from Dinis to Tomies became lost and benighted
in the woods not far from O'Sullivans Cascade. Following a series
of mobile phone conversations in order to establish the approximate
location of the group they were located safe and well in pitch
black conditions and were subsequently led to safety.
28th November 1999. Glenflesk. Assistance.
The Team was called to assist in the rescue of a man
trapped by floodwater near Glenflesk. The man was taken from the
water by members of the Killarney Water Rescue Unit and transferred
by KMRT personnel to an awaiting ambulance.
29th December 1999. Torc. Alert.
The Team was called when two young boys wandered off
whilst climbing the path near Torc waterfall. The call was soon
cancelled as the boys returned to their group.
