FOUR hikers were yesterday rescued from one of Ireland’s most famous outdoor areas in a major mountain rescue operation.
The hikers had become disoriented while climbing Benbulbin in Co Sligo.
Gardai tasked the Sligo/Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team with assisting the group.
The Coast Guard helicopter 118 was also deployed to the scene, although it could not reach the location because of poor visibility.
But it was used to transport multiple mountain rescue responders from the Cashelgerron road to Luke’s Bridge as the weather took a turn.
While the helicopter remained below the cloud base for visibility, the rescuers continued the search on the ground.
They went on foot to the location of the hikers, which was near the mountain’s summit.
It is understood the hikers were not from Sligo and had travelled to the county earlier in the day.
They were rescued and assessed around 4pm.
All four of the rescued people were “deemed to have onset hypothermic symptoms”.
In response, an emergency shelter was set up by SLMR to get the walkers warmed up enough to walk down the mountain.
The group made their way down from the hill and were handed to the Coast Guard for further assessment.
The team stood down at 4.45pm.
The SLMR also urged people to take caution when exploring the countryside, especially in dangerous conditions.
They urged people to check the weather before heading out as “conditions can degenerate” faster in mountainous areas.
BE PREPARED
And they advised that hikers should wear appropriate clothing and footwear and make sure they have enough food and water.
A spokesperson said: “Mountain Rescue responders to set up an emergency shelter to get them warmed enough to be able to walk off the mountain.
“The team responders then escorted the casualties down the hill and handed them over to the waiting Coast Guard crew for further assessment and treatment.”
They added: “The team stood down at 4:45pm.”
Benbulbin is a popular spot among locals and tourists alike for walking and hiking.
It’s a steep, flat topped mountain in north Sligo and is part of the Dartry mountains.
The mountain is 1762 feet high and is a designated county geological site.
Four hikers were rescued yesterday[/caption]
