Call Out 33: Glenmacnass Rescue 27/5/17
At 17:45hrs on Saturday, May 27th,The Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team and Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team were tasked by An Garda Síochána to assist two walkers near the Glenmacnass waterfall. The walkers, who had safely crossed the river earlier in the day, found that water levels had increased significantly when they returned from their walk.
Mountain rescue (MR) swiftwater rescue personnel crossed the river to gain access and assess the walkers’ condition. MR swiftwater personnel kept the pair warm while a hill party made their way to the site on foot. The walkers were then escorted to an MR vehicle for transport back to their own vehicle. The incident was stood down at 20:27hrs.
A period of prolonged, heavy rain lead up to this incident, causing a significant rise in water levels. In this instance, the walkers made the correct decision to call for help after establishing that they did not have a safe crossing point. Should you find yourself in a similar position: check up and down stream for a safe crossing point, keeping well clear of the water; call for help if you can’t find somewhere to cross; don’t forget to keep warm while you wait for help to arrive.
Mountain rescue would like to thank An Garda Síochána for their help during this incident.
