Injured walker rescued on Lough Salt in trying mission for Donegal Mountain Rescue Team

In testing conditions, including a heavy hail shower, an injured walker was stretchered off Lough Salt at the weekend by the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team.

Weather worsened during the mission and Donegal Mountain Rescue Team crews were forced off the path as the descended the hill with the walker.

The DMRT was tasked by An Garda Siochana at 1.19pm on Saturday to assist the walker, who sustained a lower leg injury.

DMRT members, using mobile phone location technology, went to meet the casualty having met some of the walking group.

The walker's leg was stabilised and the remainder of the walking group was sent down the mountain.

Heavy hail pelted Lough Salt as a second DMRT arrived. The casualty was secured to a stretcher, but the team was subsequently forced off course due to the deteriorating conditions.

DMRT say its members 'had to take several detours to safely transport the casualty down'.

A spokesperson said: “Callout coordinators at the base of the mountain requested an ambulance and, about 500m from the pump house, the team were met by pathfinder paramedic from HSE who was able to administer stronger pain relief to the casualty

“The casualty was successfully transported off the hill and taken to hospital for further treatment.”