2008

21 June: Team mobilised to Croagh Patrick to assist a female in her fifties had sustained a serious leg injury. Casualty located about half way up the mountain near the shoulder. Coast Guard helicopter mobilised to assist but low cloud cover necessitated moving the casualty to allow helicopter access. Casualty winched off the mountain and removed to Mayo General Hospital for further treatment.

7 June: Mayo Team, with the assistance of Galway and Sligo/Leitrim teams provided standby safety and checkpoint personnel for the Mweelrea leg of the annual Focus Ireland 4 peaks challenge. No casualties reported.

6 May: Sligo/Leitrim MRT sought the assistance of Mayo team in a search for a male Polish climber who had gone missing whilst climbing Ben Bulben with two colleagues. Six members of Mayo team went to assist Sligo in the search. The body of the climber was located at the foot of a low cliff and recovered by MRT's. Search stood down.

5 May: First response team mobilised to Croagh Patrick where a 27 yr old male had developed a severe pain in his abdomen. Rest of the team put on standby and due to the potential seriousness of the situation the assistance of Coast Guard Helicopter was sought. Casualty airlifted off the mountain by Coast Guard Helicopter and transferred to MGH in Castlebar with an acute appendicitis. Team stood down.

15 April: Team mobilised to assist an Australian female in her 60's who had sustained a lower leg injury about half way up Croagh Patrick. First response team ascended to the casualty from the Murrisk side of mountain and stretcher party evacuated casualty off to mountain rescue base from where she was removed by ambulance to MGH for further treatment.

9 April: First response team assisted a young male climber who had become fatigued on descent of Croagh Patrick - Walk off. No further action necessary.

22 Mar: Dublin Wicklow team requested assistance of Mayo MRT in search for missing 71 year old male missing in Wicklow since previous Thursday.

17 March: Whilst preparing to take part in the Westport St Patrick Days parade, the team received a call out from Westport Gardai regarding a 21 year old female who had sustained head and hip injuries near the summit of Croagh Patrick. First response team departed for mountain immediately and since weather conditions were suitable, the Coast Guard helicopter was also contacted. Reminder of available team members followed to base and stretcher part departed for summit. Shortly after first response team reached casualty the Coast Guard helicopter winched her off mountain and transferred her to Mayo General Hospital for further treatment.

2007

25 October: First response team from MMRT on standby at Croagh Patrick for Celebrities Go Wild TV Show for RTE People In need. Team rendezvoused with celebrities and production team at shoulder and accompanied them to summit and then back down to base at rear of mountain.

29 Sept: Team called out to Croagh Patrick to assist female in her 30th with fractured tibia located about 1/3 of the way up the cone, casualty stretchered off mountain and  removed to MGH for further treatment.
 
19 Sept: Team call out to Croagh Patrick to assist Male in his 60's with suspected cardiac complications, Casualty stretched from toilet block area at shoulder to mountain rescue base and removed to MGH for further treatment.

13 Sept: Team put on stand by for elderly man at the top of Croagh Patrick experiencing difficulties, called for assistance but managed to walk almost to the statue unaided. Was met by members of 1st response team around the statue area. Rest of team stood down

8 Sept: Team called out to an 83 year old Male casualty who had got into difficulty whilst climbing Croagh Patrick, Casualty had become fatigued and could not proceed further. Favourable weather conditions allowed for mobilisation of Coast Guard helicopter which winched casualty to Murrisk car park. No further treatment of casualty required.

1 Sept: Mayo MRT provided a first response team on standby at MR base for Gael Force Adventure race Reek Climb leg. No major incidents occurred. 1 person treated at base for negative reaction to energy gels and drinks with mild hypothermia and dehydration requiring hospitalisation. Other minor treatments for blisters, cramps and misplaced competitors.

28 Aug: 4 separate casualties on Croagh Patrick: At approximately 15.30hrs MMRT got a call out for a male in his 50's who had suffered a lower leg injury near the saddle of Croagh Patrick. A first response and stretcher team were dispatched to the casualty. En route another casualty was encountered who had suffered a wrist injury due to a fall. The male with the ankle injury was stretchered off the mountain to Murrisk for removal to MGH. The wrist injury was treated and was able to walk off the mountain themselves. Another male casualty who had sustained cuts and bruises after a fall was also treated near Murrisk car park. Just before standing down the team were alerted to another casualty, a 16 y/o male who had sustained a fall near the summit. A stretcher party composed of the previous crew plus some later arriving team members headed back onto the mountain for another stretcher evacuation. The casualty had sustained a broken femur in the fall and was stretchered down to MMRT base for removal to MGH. Team stood down at approximately 23.15.

23 Aug: Team leader contacted by Gardai who had received a call from a concerned husband worried that his wife and sister and four children on Croagh Patrick who had still not arrived at Murrisk at 10.20 pm. First response team mobilised but stood down when party located on path near Murrisk by Gardai.

19 Aug: Group of four young English male tourists set off from Killadoon/White Strand area to climb Mweelrea on Sunday afternoon. Locals became concerned when they hadn't returned to car by nightfall and alerted Gardai. Team put on Standby at 1am for commencement of search in morning  Team mobilised to Westport Gardai station and search groups dispatched onto the mountain. Party returned safe and unharmed to car at approx 9.30 am having spent the night on the mountain after becoming disorientated in the darkness. Team stood down.

16 Aug: Team mobilised to assist a female in her 50's who had sustained an ankle injury on the Murrisk path side of Croagh Patrick. Casualty stretchered off mountain and removed to Mayo General Hospital Castlebar for further treatment.

4 Aug: Elderly male sustained a fall near the summit of Croagh Patrick suffering facial, limb and rib injuries in the process. One of the first persons on scene was a retired member of Kerry MRT who offered initial assistance and first aid. First response team from MMRT dispatched to casualty and whole team mobilised for stretcher evacuation. Due to concerns about casualty's condition  and favourable weather conditions the Coast Guard Helicopter from Sligo was tasked and the casualty was airlifted off the mountain to Mayo General Hospital for further treatment.

2 Aug: Team put on standby for possible search for missing person on Croagh Patrick (The Reek). Person located and team stood down.

29 July: Annual Reek Sunday Pilgrimage: Mayo MRT coordinated safety and rescue for the 9 Mountain Rescue and 1 Cliff Rescue Teams attending on the mountain for the Annual Pilgrimage. Fine and clear weather on the mountain saw an increase in numbers climbing estimated to between 20,000 and 30,000. Thanks to the weather incidents and casualties were minimal numbering about 45 in total dealt with by both MRT and Order of Malta. In all Mountain Rescue processed 15 incidents through MR base, the most serious of which was a cardiac arrest about 500 metres from the Medical Post. The casualty, an elderly male was airlifted off the mountain by the Air Corps Alouette and was in Mayo General Hospital Castlebar some 35 minutes after the alarm was notified to Mountain Rescue. Approximately 4 other cases required helivac off the mountain by the Air Corps helicopters put at our disposal for the day, This marked a historic day for the Air Corps as it will be the last Tasked Mission that these Alouettes will take part in for the Air Corps, they are planned to go out of service later this year. Main incidents on the day involved fatigue, some young children in distress and some concerns about general medical conditions. In addition, as normal, MR and Order of Malta personnel assisted numerous pilgrims treated with blisters and barefoot difficulties along with handling some missing persons alerts.
Reek Sunday evening 7.30pm: Team put back on standby for possible search for missing person on Croagh Patrick (The Reek). Person located and team stood down.

28 July: Team members preparing for Reek Sunday attended to 3 separate climbers requiring assistance on mountain.

27 July: Members of team assisted climber that had got into difficulty on Croagh Patrick just above the statue. Casualty walked off the mountain and no further treatment necessary.

7 July: Team put on standby for possible search for missing person on Croagh Patrick (The Reek). Person located and team stood down.

30 June: Team put on standby for possible Croagh Patrick (The Reek) rescue - Stood done after an hour as not required.

28 June: Team mobilised to Croagh Patrick for dual casualties on mountain. Both a Male and female climber had suffered injuries. The female was stretchered off the mountain and the male was walked off.

13 June: Team mobilised to Croagh Patrick in response to a report of a female having suffered an ankle injury on the mountain near the summit. First response team searched for casualty from shoulder up the cone and then responding to reports that casualty was making here way down Murrisk side of mountain with assistance of other climbers. In the meantime a stretcher party departed from base at back of mountain to provide assistance if required. Casualty eventually located by Team leader at Murrisk Car park having been assisted on decent by fellow climbers. Stretcher team returned to base and first response team descended to Murrisk. 

10 June: Mayo Team, with the assistance of Galway and Sligo teams provided standby safety and checkpoint personnel for two Charity Mountain Climbs in Mayo. Members of Mayo and Galway teams did check point duty on the Mweelrea leg of the annual Focus Ireland 4 peaks challenge on a sweltering hot days where the tempt at the summit reached 25 deg c. Thankfully no casualties bar two cases of dehydration/heat exhaustion were dealt with members of the Mayo and Sligo teams proved standby assistance on Croagh Patrick for the GROW Charity fundraising climb. No casualties reported.

 19 May: Team mobilised to assist a female climber who had sustained an ankle injury on Croagh Patrick. Coast Guard helicopter also mobilised and winched casualty to safety. Team stood down.

14 May: Team put on standby to search for a 13 year old American male who had gone missing on Achill Island. Missing party located before team were mobilised.

12 May: Team called out to assist a female walker on Croagh Patrick who had sustained a lower leg injury half way up the mountain. Stretcher crew mobilised and casualty evacuated down front of mountain to Murrisk car park and removed to Mayo General Hospital by ambulance for further treatment.

5 May: Team put on standby at request of Galway MRT regarding 3 climbers that had got into difficulties on Knocknahillion mountain in Connemara. Galway team dealt with incident and Mayo MRT stood down.

27 April: Team alerted to a female walker in her 50's on Croagh Patrick who had sustained an ankle injury near the saddle of the mountain. Stretcher crew mobilised and casualty evacuated down front of mountain to Murrisk car park and removed to Mayo General Hospital by ambulance for further treatment.

 
7th April (Easter Monday): Team alerted to a female walker in her fifties who had got injured on Croagh Patrick while climbing with a colleague. After the first response team had made contact with injured party half way up the cone and on establishing that her injuries (lower back and arm) prevented her from attempting a walk off, they mobilised the remainder of the team for a stretcher carry off. Injured party reached base shortly before 2300 hrs and was evacuated to Mayo
General Hospital by ambulance for further treatment.

4th April (Good Friday): First response team dealt with two walk off casualties on Murrisk side of Croagh Patrick. Full team mobilisation not required.

13 March: Team put on standby at request of Galway MRT regarding a female climber that had got trapped on a ledge in Maamturk Mountains. Galway team dealt with incident and Mayo MRT stood down.

2 March: First response team assisted two climbers on Murrisk side of Croagh Patrick who had become fatigued. Escorted them to Murrisk Car park. No further treatment necessary.

22 Feb: Team mobilised to Croagh Patrick to assist two American tourists who had got into difficulty while climbing mountain. Walkers had started ascent around lunchtime and had got into difficulty towards evening on the descent. MMRT mobilised after darkness and stretchered one casualty and walked the other off the front side of the mountain to Murrisk car park where they were handed over to ambulance service for further treatment.

2006

28 Dec: Team put on standby to assist Galway team with injured person in Leenane/Lough Fooey area. Person located with broken ankle and escorted to safety by Galway team. Mayo MRT stood down.

3 Oct: Team alerted to assist a German climber who has sustained a leg injury while descending Maumtrasna mountain off the Westport Leenaune Road. Initial response team from MMRT mobilised, Galway Team also mobilised to assist. Favourable weather conditions permit the Coast guard helicopter to evacuate the casualty off the mountain direct to Mayo General Hospital for treatment.

26 Sept: Gardai request assistance of team in search for 89 year old female who had been reported missing in Drummin by her concerned son. Because of the onset of darkness and the uneven terrain in which the woman is suspected to have gone missing the team request the assistance of the Coastguard helicopter with infra red camera. As team arrive on location to commence search the missing woman turns up by car having been visiting neighbours some 6 miles away.

23 Sept: Team involved in a call out on Croagh Patrick. A woman in her 50's sustained an ankle injury about two thirds of the way up the mountain. The casualty was carried off the mountain by a stretcher team from Mayo Mountain Rescue Team and was removed to Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar for further treatment.

20 Sept: Team called out to the assistance of 74 year old male on Croagh Patrick who had sustained an injury and was unable to proceed further. Stretcher party mobilised and casualty carried off the mountain and removed to Mayo General Hospital for further treatment.

10 Sept: Team called out to the assistance of a female pilgrim on Croagh Patrick who had taken a fall near the ridge and has a suspect spinal injury. Stretcher party mobilised from Murrisk car park and casualty carried off the front (Murrisk side) of the mountain and removed to Mayo General Hospital for further treatment.

9 Sept: First response team from Mayo Mountain Rescue involved in a "walk off" from front of Croagh Patrick. Pilgrim descending mountain on path at Murrisk side became weary and had difficulty proceeding. Team located casualty above the valley and assisted the casualty in descent to Murrisk. No further treatment of casualty necessary.

3 Sept: A 76 year old man got into difficulty near the summit of Croagh Patrick late in the evening after departing from Murrisk at about 3pm in the afternoon. Another climber descended to Murrisk to raise the alarm. A first response team searched the path from Murrisk and located the man, suffering from exposure, just below the first turn on the cone. Since he had lost the use of his legs and was unable to proceed further, a stretcher team was mobilised and reached the casualty shortly after 2am. Casualty stretchered off the mountain and removed to Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar for further treatment.

25 Aug: Team were called out to the assistance of a woman in difficulty near the summit of Croagh Patrick. Woman had suffered a lower leg injury necessitating evacuation off the mountain by stretcher team. Casualty removed to Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar for further treatment.

10 Aug: Team were called out to assist a family in difficulty near the summit of Croagh Patrick. An 8 year old boy had sustained a head injury and his 15 year old brother had sustained a knee and head injury while attempting to halt his younger brother's fall. 8 yr old treated on mountain and deemed fit to walk off. 15 yr old stretchered off the mountain by Mayo Mountain Rescue team and removed to Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar for further treatment.

8 Aug: Team were called out to assist a 76 year old female located above the 1st station on Croagh Patrick who had sustained an leg injury. Casualty stretchered off the mountain by Mayo Mountain Rescue team and removed to Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar for further treatment.

6 Aug:: Team called to 2 incidents while fundraising at Murrisk Car Park:
1. 2 members of Team went to the assistance of a pilgrim in difficulty some distance above the statue. The pilgrim was uninjured and the team members walked them off the mountain to safety.
2. Member of team treated pilgrim who had dislocated a finger. Casualty advised to attend MGH for further treatment.

30 July (Reek Sunday): Mayo MRT coordinated safety and rescue for the 9 Mountain Rescue and 1 Cliff Rescue Teams attending on the mountain for the Annual Pilgrimage. Wet and windy weather on Saturday evening ensured that numbers were down on last year with a generous estimate of under 20,000 people on the mountain in the course of the 24 hrs of Sunday. Despite the wet start to Sunday, incidents and casualties were minimal with the majority occuring during the early part of the day in wet and slippery conditions. In all Mountain Rescue dealt with 24 incidents a number of which required helivac off the mountain by one of two Air Corps helicopters put at our disposal for the day. Main incidents on the day involved lower leg and ankle injuries, some young children in distress and some concerns about chest pains and general medical conditions. In addition MR and Order of Malta personnel assisted numerous pilgrims treated with blisters and barefoot difficulties along with handling a good number of missing persons alerts.

22 July: Team were called out to assist a 42 year old Galway woman who had sustained an ankle injury near the summit of Croagh Patrick. Casualty stretchered off the mountain by Mayo Mountain Rescue team and removed to Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar for further treatment.

18 July: Team were called out to assist a 56 year old American woman who had got into difficulties while climbing Croagh Patrick. The woman had been overcome by the afternoon heat and had also suffered an ankle injury. A stretcher party from Mayo Mountain Rescue team removed the casualty from the mountain and she was sent to Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar for further treatment.

16 July: Casualty injured in fall near the ridge of Croagh Patrick on Murrisk side early in morning. Team mobilised. Favourable weather conditions and location of casualty made it possible for an airlift off mountain by Coast Guard helicopter direct to MGH Castlebar.

1 July: A Father and daughter climbing Croagh Patrick suffered a dual fall, Father incurred some bruises and scrapes. Daughter suffered more serious injuries including fractures whilst trying to halt his fall. Team mobilised to mountain to effect evacuation of female casualty by stretcher party. Father was able to accompany team to base on foot.

25 June: Members of Team mobilised to Croagh Patrick for casualty who had fallen on mountain. Assisted casualty to walk off mountain.

21 June: One male member of a group suffered a seizure whilst climbing Croagh Patrick. In the course of the attack casualty also suffered a head injury. Group made contact with Emergency Services who got MMRT to follow up. Team leader contacted group and ascertained that they were escorting casualty down mountain by themselves. 2 members of team mobilised to Croagh Patrick as a precautionary measure where they met with group and casualty at base. Casualty removed to MGH by ambulance for evaluation.

10 June: MMRT coordinated safety and checkpoints on Mweelrea leg of 4 peaks charity challenge involving 58 teams of participants.

14 April: Couple climbing Mweelrea from Doolough side had got into difficulty whilst descending and were trapped on a cliff face. Team mobilised to Doolough RV point for possible steep ground rescue. Because of good weather conditions and approaching darkness, the assistance of Coast Guard helicopter was also sought. Helicopter located couple and airlifted them to safety. Team stood down.

13 April: Alerted by Gardai who had been contacted by a woman on Croagh Patrick who was concerned about her husbands overdue return from the summit of the mountain. Two members of the team in the area made their way to the woman's location on the mountain and whilst planning the next stage of action, her husband arrived on the scene safe and well. Rest of team not mobilised.

8 April: Contacted by Gardai re missing person on Achill Island, Full team put on standby for search next morning. Achill based MMRT members located person and walked them off mountain. Remainder of team stood down.

5 March: Team mobilised for rescue of 40 yr old male who had fallen and sustained leg injuries on North East face of Croagh Patrick. As casualty was understood to be in a difficult to access area, with light fading fast and temperature dropping to below freezing, the Coast Guard helicopter from Sligo was summoned in to assist. After searching and failing to locate casualty in last reported position, helicopter dropped a 1st response crew on ridge and returned to Sligo to refuel. Team commenced a search ascent from Murrisk side of mountain. Casualty located about 500m up mountain alongside pilgrim path, where he had managed to descend to with the assistance of his colleague. Stretchered off mountain by team and ambulanced to hospital for treatment.

28 Jan: Members of team on winter skills training exercise on Ben Nevis in Scotland assisted a casualty with knee injury in a Walk off from the summit of Ben Nevis. The walk off took almost 5 hours.

16 Jan: Assistance of team requested by Gardai in search for missing person in low lying difficult to access terrain outside Westport. Team involved in night search and removal of deceased casualty from scene.

01 Jan: Alerted about missing walker on Nepin Beg Range: Turned up safe before team was mobilised.

01 Jan: Casualty Walk off off Croagh Patrick

29 Dec: Alerted to possible missing person in Clifden area - Team not required.

20 Nov: Missing person on Achill Island: Team mobilised assisted by Coast Guard S&R helicopter, Missing person located by spotters and walked off mountain.

18 Nov: 6 GMIT Students missing on Mweelrea: Students became disorientated when mist came down, MMRT search team went onto mountain at 2100hrs and searched last reported location and ridge of mountain. Missing party made their own way off mountain when mist lifted.

18 Sept: Took part in a simulated train crash training exercise at Claremorris railway station organised by Health Service Executive West involving voluntary emergency personnel from MMRT, Order of Malta, Red Cross, Civil Defence, etc.

29-30 Aug: Search for missing person on Croagh Patrick, Over two days 2 teams searched possible routes along mountain from Lecanvey, Murrisk and Taoibhnacroighe (Rear side of mountain). Missing person turned up elsewhere.

August: 5 rescues on Croagh Patrick

31st July (Reek Sunday): Mayo MRT coordinated safety and rescue for the 9 Mountain Rescue and 1 Cliff Rescue Teams attending on the mountain for the Annual Pilgrimage involving upwards of 25,000 pilgrims on the mountain. Favourable weather conditions and the assistance of 2 Air Corps helicopters for the day resulted in minimal casualties and carry offs.

14 July: 52 yr old male experiencing severe chest pains, located over half way up the final (steep part) of the main pilgrim path. First response medical team dispatched with basic life support and oxygen. Stretcher team evacuated the patient to MMRT base at Taobhnacroibhe where waiting ambulance brought him to MGH Castlebar. Thankfully patient made full recovery after stay in hospital. Click here for Mayo News letter from patient

July Total: 6 Rescues on Croagh Patrick

11 June: MMRT coordinated safety and checkpoints for Mweelrea leg of the annual 4 Peaks Charity Challenge.

June Total: 4 rescues on Croagh Patrick

May Total: 2 rescues on Croagh Patrick

March: Team alerted to missing person on Achill Island, Local MMRT members mobilised and located person and walked them off mountain. Remainder of team stood down.

January: MMRT assistance requested by Kerry Mountain Rescue in search for missing person in the Mangerton/Black Valley/Carrauntoohil area of Kerry. 18 members of MMRT assisted in the search over 2 days.
Update: On November 2nd 2006 a sheep farmer came across some human remains that had recently been dislodged by a landslide from a ravine in the area of Horses Glen on Mangerton Mountain. The remains were recovered by Kerry Mountain Rescue Team and seemed to fit the description of the missing walker. The identity of the remains were was later confirmed to be those of the missing climber.