Mountain rescue team join search for lost fisherman

The alert began at 5.53pm when members of Donegal Mountain Rescue Team issued an appeal for help in locate the missing fisherman.

According to the North West team's press officer, Pauline McGurk, the missing 44-year-old had set off on Saturday morning to fish south west of Glenveagh National Park.

"At around 5pm he realised he was in difficulty due to the atrocious weather conditions and that he was probably not going to be able to make it home," she said.

Assist

"The fisherman contacted the Garda who subsequently alerted Donegal Mountain Rrescue Team and members of our team were asked to assist, and we duly made our way to DMRT base at Glenveagh National Park.

"The DMRT spoke to the fisherman on his mobile phone and advised him to move to high ground, take shelter and stay there," Ms McGurk said, adding that the Sligo/Leitrim team was also put on stand by on Saturday evening.

"In terrible weather conditions, that included rain, wind and mist, the teams deployed to begin the search. Our members, Barney, Pete, Meika and Jeraid, who are all experienced rescuers, as well as Uel Hamilton, who operated the link with the teams as he himself searched an area. It was a long night for all involved and it showed the dedication that all of mountain rescue volunteers have," she said.

Treacherous

Member Pete Brown describing the weather conditions he and his colleagues faced said: "It was wet, windy, and misty and the conditions underfoot were treacherous."

Fortunately, the fisherman was located at 3.38am on Addernymore, which is south west of Glenveagh and was well enough to be accompanied on foot back to base, arriving at 5am.

To be on the safe side an ambulance was waiting, but after a medical examination, when it was ascertained the fisherman was found to be in the early stages of hypothermia, he was brought home safely.

Pauline said this was "an excellent outcome" for all concerned.

It was certainly another happy ending for the teams, as well as the lost fisherman, and something for the North West Mountain Rescue Team to remember as they celebrate their 30th Anniversary in November 2010.

l Next week there will be a two-page interview with instructor and mountain rescue stalwart, Uel Hamilton, as well as more photographs celebrating the work of the North West Mountain Rescue Team