Dublin-based R116 tasked to airlift injured person from hill in Donegal

Dublin-based R116 Coast Guard helicopter helped Donegal Mountain Rescue and other emergency services to remove an injured person from High Glen.

The crew stepped in when the north and west rescue helicopter R118 encountered technical difficulties.

Donegal Mountain Rescue was tasked on Sunday morning at 10am following reports that a casualty had suffered a lower leg injury in High Glen. This was a multi-agency operation which resulted in the casualty being stabilised and brought to hospital. 

A spokesperson said: “Team members proceeded to the coordinates given and rendezvoused with friends of the casualty, who were able to assist us with the precise location.

“Mulroy Coast Guard was already on the scene and Rescue 118 was requested. Due to technical difficulty, Rescue 118 was unable to rendezvous with the emergency services at the scene, and so Rescue 116 was requested from Dublin. 

“While waiting on the casualty being extracted by helicopter, emergency paramedics arrived at the scene.

“Soon after, Rescue 116 arrived and, with the combined forces of each emergency service present, the casualty was stabilised and transported to Letterkenny University Hospital.”

The team was stood down at 3.28pm.

The spokesperson continued: “Our thanks to the National Ambulance Service, Irish Coast Guard, and everyone on the scene who helped make sure the casualty was brought to safety.”