Coast Guard helicopter airlifted hiker injured on Comeragh Mountains to hospital

A female walker, aged in her 60s, was airlifted to Waterford University Hospital on Sunday afternoon, after she injured her ankle while hiking in the Comeragh Mountains.

The woman, who was hiking with a local club, sustained the injury when she slipped on wet ground in the Coumtay area of the Comeraghs next to the Mahon Falls valley. 

The South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association said it received the call-out from An Garda Síochána at 3.15pm on Sunday to assist the fallen walker, who had been hiking with a group from a local club. 

"Club members looked after the injured walker while SEMRA members responded," said a report on SEMRA's Facebook page. "The team's Land Rovers were able to drive close to the casualty site and the stretchers and equipment were carried in from there.

"The casualty was ready to be carried out by SEMRA when the Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 appeared overhead on a training flight.

"They were able to land and the casualty was carried into the helicopter for transport to hospital."

SEMRA reported that all team members were safely off the mountains by 6.20pm. The mountain rescue team wished the injured walker, a speedy recovery.