A second member of the group also became unwell during the rescue
Pic: Mourne Mountain Rescue Team Facebook page
A walker has been airlifted to safety before being transferred to hospital after sustaining a leg injury while hiking in Co Down.
Members of the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team (MMRT) responded to a request from the NI Ambulance Service (NIAS) after a member of the public became injured while ‘contouring’ close to the Ben Crom reservoir.
Contouring is the practice of maintaining a steady altitude by going around a hill, rather than attempting to scale it.
Using helicopter assistance, the MMRT was able to move the walker for treatment.
A spokesperson said: “At 1.46pm today, we received a request via ambulance and subsequently police for a walker who’d sustained a leg injury while contouring alongside Ben Crom reservoir.
“The team responded, locating and treating the casualty for their injury/exposure to the elements before packaging in preparation for an evacuation.
“Given the location was just south of the ‘Shelter Stone’ and an arduous stretcher carry from road access, the team requested helicopter assistance with Rescue 936 responding.
“The casualty was winched on board the aircraft for further care and flown to Silent Valley for transfer back to the team.
“The casualty was transported back to base for a cuppa before onward transfer to Hospital by family members.
“An Ambulance did respond at the outset but had to divert to treat and evacuate another member of the group who’d taken unwell while descending the road.
“We wish both casualties well.
“A total of 16 members responded and stood down at 1847hrs – with grateful assistance from ARCC, Rescue 936, NIAS, local Police, Police SAR and NI Water.”