THREE TEENAGERS WERE airlifted off the Wicklow Mountains earlier after all three sustained leg injuries while taking part in the same hike.

The three, a girl and two boys, were part of a large school group hiking around the Glendalough valley when they came upon some rough terrain approaching the Glenealo bridge.

One of the students suffered a serious laceration to the leg, while the other two sustained injuries which suggested badly sprained or broken ankles.

At around 12.30pm the Dublin and Wicklow Mountain Rescue team, and the Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue team were called to the scene by the teachers accompanying the group. According to Mountain Rescue Ireland many of the teachers were experienced hill walkers.

Medical assistance was administered to the three injured students, and the rest of the group was also assessed.

The Coastguard helicopter arrived at the scene at 2pm and a winch man helped the teens on board while the helicopter hovered over the group. The injured students were taken to Dublin airport and transferred to hospital in a waiting ambulance.

The remainder of the group made their way back down the hill escorted by teachers and Mountain Rescue team members.