Glen Team

The Team Dealt with 54 incidents in 2004. These ranged from regular lower leg injuries in Glendalough to large scale multi-day searches with the Gardaí around Hollywood. This list does not include incidents during the Croagh Patrick, County Mayo religious pilgrimage where teams from all over Ireland assist the Mayo Mountain Rescue Team.

These incidents can be broken down as follows:

A rough breakdown of incident locations is as follows (some incidents covered more than one area).

Outside of primary response area

The following details of incident is not a complete list. Some incidents where the team were on standby or in which the subjects turned up during the investigation phase are not included.

Sunday, 14th November, 2004, Kelly's Lough, Lugnaquilla
At 15:30hrs today, the Gardai requested the help of the Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team and the Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team to help in the rescue of a woman who had injured her right ankle. The woman (40's) from Dublin, had been out walking with a group of people had come from Lugnaquilla and was making her way towards Kelly's Lough when she injured her right ankle. The Irish coastguard helicopter which was in Wicklow was requested immediately. The helicopter was sent to the casualty scene however it was unable to airlift the woman due to adverse weather and wind conditions in the area. As a backup, mountain rescue personnel were also making their way towards the casualty. Upon their arrival, medical assistance was given to the woman. She was then carried by stretcher to a nearby track where she was transported to a waiting ambulance and brought to hospital and approximately 17:30hrs.

Saturday, 13th, November, 2004, Glendalough
With weather forecasts predicting temperatures as low as minus one on the night, a full call out to both Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team and Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team in the hunt for 6 lost venture scouts and their two leaders. The scouts had planned to walk from Glendalough Youth Hostel to Glenmalure Youth Hostel, but only left Glendalough at 3.30pm. They followed the Wicklow Way for approximately half the route, when they decided to take a short cut through the open hill. It was here they encountered trouble and got lost. They had a map but no compass, and only one torch between them. They decided to try to return to Glendalough. At approximately 8.30pm, the Mountain Rescue Teams were alerted. Wicklow National Park was informed by the MR Teams and was tasked to drive up some forestry tracks near Lugduff Brook where Search Personnel believed the party of 8 to be. Shortly afterwards, a visual on the party was gained as their torch could be seen by search personnel. The scouts were escorted off the hill by Mountain Rescue and returned to Glendalough Car Park.

Sunday, 7th November, 2004, Three Rock Mountain
At 18:01, a third callout involved the rescue of a man (30 s) who had been out walking near three rock mountain in Dublin. When the mist closed in the man realised that he was lost and called to request the services of mountain rescue. Member of the mountain rescue teams made there way to the summit of Three Rock Mountain where a search was initiated. The man who was met by mountain rescue personnel was uninjured and escorted back to his parked car.

Sunday, 7th November, 2004, Djouce
At 16:20 a second call-out was issued to the Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team and Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team. This time the volunteers were asked to assist a hill-walker in trouble. The man in question had left the Long Hill/Djouce car park at 12.30pm intending to climb Djouce Mountain and adjoining mountain, War Hill. The man found himself in trouble when a bad mist descended on the Wicklow Mountains and without a map or compass, he had no idea where he was. Mountain Rescue Personnel came to his aid and with their help, the walker was guided off the mountain onto the Sally Gap road where he was picked up by Mountain Rescue Personnel. This incident was stood down at 17:30 as a third call had just been received.

Sunday, 7th November, 2004, Glendalough
At 14:35, a call-out was issued to The Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team and Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team. It is believed that a man was attempting a traverse of the steep ground on the east side of the lake when he slipped and fell around St. Kevin's Bed. Onlookers raised the alarm by informing Wicklow Mountains National Park Staff, who in turn called Mountain Rescue. Wicklow Mountains National Park Staff and Mountain Rescue Personnel gathered to assist the climber, who managed to make his way back to his car unaided.

Saturday, 2nd October, 2004, Lugnaquilla
At 15:15 today, a call was received by Mountain Rescue Teams in Wicklow from Garda Communications regarding a 76 year old man who sustained a lower leg injury on Lugnaquilla- Leinster's highest mountain. The Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team and the Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team responded immediately. A group of 13 people were walking on the popular peak when one of them fell and suffered a suspected fracture to her lower leg. The man was airlifted by Coastguard Helicopter to hospital.

Monday, 13th September, 2004, Kilakee, Dublin Mountains
At 8pm. The Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team and the Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue team were requested by the Gardai to aid in the rescue of man (50's) who had injured himself. The man who had been in the Kilakee area of the Dublin Mountains had called for an ambulance when he fell and sustained suspected back injuries and chest pain. However when the ambulance arrived they were unable to locate the injured man. As additional mountain rescue personnel arrived on scene they entered the 'Hell Fire Club' car park where the injured man turned up. He was then taken by ambulance to Tallaght hospital. Mountain Rescue would like to thank all those in this successful rescue including: The

Gardaí, The Irish Coastguard (Who were en route to the incident) Dublin Fire Brigade Eastern Regional Ambulance Authority.

Saturday, 11th September 2004, Lugnaquillia
Gardai requested the assistance of Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team and the Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team in the search for two women in trouble on Leinster s highest mountain, Lugnaquillia. The ladies had walked up the easy slope from the Imaal Bar & Army Information Office to summit the peak. However, on descent they took the wrong route and found themselves lost. Because of very steep ground on two sides of the mountain and the dangerous Military range, a call-out was issued at 4pm and both teams working side by side went in search of the missing ladies. They were found by a search party at approximately 5.30pm about 1 km from the Aughavannagh Bridge having descended through the Ow Valley. Thank you to all agencies involved. Gardai, Army, Wicklow National Park and Irish Coastguard.

Friday, 13th August 2004, Lough Dan
Gardai in Roundwood requested the assistance of the Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team and Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team around midnight, having received a call for help from two sisters of mercy. The ladies had parked their car at Oldbridge near Lough Dan Scout Centre at about 3pm, the previous day (Thursday 12th August) with the intention of walking up towards the Inchavore Valley at the other end of the lake and meeting the Wicklow Way track. At approximately 8pm, the ladies realised they were lost and at about 9pm, made a decision to turn back. It was dark and without a torch, they could go no further. They were also unprepared to stay out for the night and were growing cold. The ladies were found at approximately 1am and were escorted by Gardai and Mountain Rescue out of the valley and back to their vehicle. Only minor first aid was required and the ladies were in good spirits and glad to be off the hill safe and well.

Monday, 9th August 2004, Blessington
Gardai in Blessington called in the services of the Glen of Imaal Mountain Red Cross Rescue Team and Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team in the search for a missing boy at 11:30am today. The boy had been missing for almost 5 hours when Gardai requested the assistance of the Search Management expertise of the rescue teams. He had left his accommodation at 7am this morning walking his two dogs. The alarm was raised when he did not return. Searchers comprises of civilians, Gardai and Mountain Rescue personnel. The boy was found safe and well by local people near Search and Rescue base at 1:45pm.

Wednesday, 28th July 2004, Lugnaquillia
At 13:05 Gardai alerted The Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team and Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team that a group of Belgian tourists were lost in fog on Leinster's highest mountain, Lugnaquillia (925m). A call-out was issued and search and rescue personnel were dispatched onto the hill immediately. The search management team requested the assistance of the Irish Coastguard Helicopter in locating the group. The missing group were located at 16:30. The 7 tourists were escorted off the Mountain and back to safety with no injuries.

Saturday 21st July 2004, Glendalough
A 42 yr old man suffered a cardiac arrest at the base of the Spinc. CPR was begun by passer-by and continued by MR Team personnel. Both the ERHA and National Park were involved.

Sunday, 18th July 2004, Tonduff
At 16:40, the Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team and the Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team were asked by the Gardai to assist a 31 year old woman who had a suspected stroke. The woman who was with 3 friends was walking in the Tonduff area of Co. Wicklow. Members of the Dublin/Wicklow mountain rescue team were dispatched to the casualty site as the Irish Coastguard Helicopter arrived on scene. The woman was quickly located by the coastguard helicopter. The winch man was deployed to give medical assistance, and the woman was shortly airlifted to Dublin City airport where she was transferred to Beaumont hospital by a waiting ambulance.

Saturday, 5th June 2004, Glendalough
At approximately 3.30pm, Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team and Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team were called to rescue two brothers (late 20's) who were trapped on the steep ground on the Spink Mountain overlooking Glendalough's upper lake. Thng only bad grazes and bruising. His brother managed to climb down to him and raised the alarm by using a whistle (an essential safety item) and bright orange survival bag to help rescuers spot them amongst the trees. A e alert had been raised by a concerned member of the public to emergency services and Wicklow National Park personnel that someone had been heard blowing a whistle. The brothers had been walking on the Spink and decided to descend the treacherous ground to get a closer look at church ruins some 300m below them. One of the young men lost his footing and according to his brother, fell about 70ft/25m before miraclously coming to a stop. Incredibly, despite falling this distance over rocky ground and through trees, he was relatively uninjured, sufferiMountain Rescue party were immediately dispatched by boat to the shore below where the brothers had been visually located. The party climbed up the dangerous steep ground to where the two brothers were and assessed both the site and the brothers. Both men were medically treated and were then abseiled down to an awaiting boat, which transferred them to an Eastern Regional Ambulance.

Wednesday, 26th May 2004, Enniskerry
Gardai in Bray requested the search expertise of Mountain Rescue Teams to conduct a missing person search in Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. Volunteers from The Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team and the Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team launched the search at 10am. The operation was stood down at about 10pm following searches of various areas surrounding the village of Enniskerry by mountain rescue personnel and the Wicklow Civil Defence. The Red Cross dog Unit was also on standby for the search.

Sunday, 23rd May 2004, Glendalough
Before the incident below was finished, The Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team and Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team were called by Wicklow Gardai to come to the aid of a male climber who had fallen and broken his leg whilst descending through the boulder fields in Glendalough. Mountain Rescue personnel in conjunction with the Coastguard winchman, administered first aid to the injured climber and he was then airlifted to hospital.

Sunday, 23rd May 2004, Powerscourt Waterfall
Late afternoon, both Mountain Rescue Teams were called in by The Irish Coastguard to assist in an incident on Powerscourt Waterfall involving two tourists. They had been scrambling on the steep ground at the Waterfall when the accident occured. The ERHA and Fire Brigade were already in attendance. The two casualties (one believed serious) were airlifted to Beaumont hospital.

Saturday, 22nd May 2004, Lough Ouler
At 14:45hrs the Gardai requested the assistance of the Glen Of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team and the Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue team for a woman in her 50's who had slipped and injured her lower leg. The woman, who was an experienced hillwalker, was out walking in the Glenmacnass area of Wicklow with her husband when she slipped and injured her lower leg. Mountain rescue teams dispatched personnel to the area, however the Irish Coastguard helicopter was on scene within minutes. Once the injured woman was located she was treated and airlifted to Dublin Airport. From here she was transferred to Beaumont hospital for further treatment.

Sunday, 16th May 2004, Brittas Bay
Standby for missing 5 year old, who was found safe and well

Tuesday, 20th April and Sunday, 25th April, 2004, Hollywood, Co. Wicklow
Gardai in Blessington requested the search expertise of Mountain Rescue Teams to conduct a missing person search in Holywood, Co. Wicklow. Volunteers from Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team, The Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team, SEMRA and SARDA launched the search at 8am, Tuesday 20th April 2004. The search incorporated the Hill and Crag region of Hollywood village, the village itself and a 2 mile perimeter of the missing person's homestead. The homestead itself had been previously searched by Garda personnel. The search was stood down at 6pm. The Gardai requested a further search in the Hollywood glen area on the following Sunday, but was stood down without any conclusive results.

Friday, 9th April 2004, Lugnaquillia
3 women left the Summit of Lugnaquillia in thick cloud which disoriented them. This is a particularly hazardous mistake on Lugnaquillia, as it is flanked on two sides by steep cliffs and also a military firing range. They realised their mistake when they encountered some steep, dangerous ground and phoned 999 for Mountain Rescue. The Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team and Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team were alerted by Gardai at 16.40 and the young women were directed by phone back to the summit of the mountain to await for Rescue Personnel who had been deployed onto the hill from both Glenmalure and The Glen of Imaal. They were escorted back to safety by Mountain Rescue Personnel with injuries to nothing other than their pride. They admitted that they did not carry a map nor compass and had no training in the use of these essential pieces of equipment.

Monday 5th April 2004 Crone Wood
At 16:50 hours, The GOIMRT and Dublin/Wicklow mountain rescue team were requested by the Gardai to aid an injured scout who was part of a group in the Crone Wood area of Wicklow. A limited response was mounted due to the fact that the injured party was close to a main road. However prior to mountain rescue personnel arriving on scene, the group were able to make there way own way to their vehicles.

Sunday 4th April 2004, Glendalough, Red Cross Incident
A walker fell badly and was taken to Loughlinstown by ambulance, as neck injury was suspected. It was later revealed that it was less serious. J. O'Reilly, B. McCabe and R. Power were involved.

Sunday 28th March 2004, Turlough Hill Area
At approximately 2.50pm, Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team and Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team were called to the aid of a local hill-walker who had slipped and sustained a lower leg injury whilst out with her walking group in the Turlough Hill/Glendalough area. The experienced walkers had equipment with them enabling them to keep her warm, sheltered and out of the wind until rescuers arrived. Mountain Rescue Personnel requested the assistance of the Irish Coastguard Helicopter. The woman was airlifted and taken to Dublin Airport where an awaiting ambulance transferred her to Beaumont Hospital.

Saturday, 31st January 2004, Derrybawn
A group of casual walkers, staying locally, went on a forrest walk. A female member of the party complained of feeling ill. Team transport was despatched and returned her to her accomodation.
 
Sunday 18th January 2004 Glendalough Upper Lake
Following a mans failure to return home, his family reports him missing to the Gardai (Irish Police). The Glen of Imaal MRT and Dublin/Wicklow MRT conduct a search of the area. Following a search of the upper lake area of Glendalough, the mans body was recovered at approximatley 02:30hrs.

Saturday 10th January 2004, Cairngorm Mountains Scotland
3 members of the Glen team were ice climbing in the popular Coire an Sneachta in the Cairngorm Mountains Scotland when they witnessed a climber falling over 100 metre while descending a steep track. The Glen team members were first on the scene, the climber came to a stop on a precarious outcrop of rock, he was treated and secured while the Cairngorm MRT were alerted. Due to deteriorating weather conditions a helicopter evacuation was not possible, the casualty was carried out by MR personnel. Although he fell over 100 metres he suffered no more than a sprained ankle and bad bruising, his helmet saved him from serious injury.

Thursday 1st January 2004, Glendalough
The incident involved two climbers climbing No.2 gully at Teampall na Skellig one of them fell on steep ground and collided with a tree and sustained rib injuries a 999 was made requesting mountain rescue. The GOIMRT and DWMRT along with National Parks staff and Coast Guard Helli crew attended at the scene. A party was dispatched by boat to Teampall na Skellig and the injured party and his colleague were taken back to the waiting helicopter and transferred to hospital.