A WOMEN IN her 40s was airlifted to safety off the Wicklow Mountains this afternoon after collapsing while on a hike with a group of Girl Guide leaders.
Dublin & Wicklow Mountain and the Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain rescue teams were called to the scene near Djouce mountain after the woman began to experience chest pains.
A mountain rescue volunteer who was out hiking with friends noticed the group which had halted around the woman and made his way to the scene. An advanced paramedic, he was able to provide initial care and called for assistance from his colleagues.
The Coast Guard helicopter was deployed as the hiker required immediate hospital care.
However, visibility was poor at the location and the aircraft made two unsuccessful attempts to airlift her before being forced to return to Dublin Airport to refuel.
As conditions deteriorated, the rescuers realised that the chances of a successful airlift at the location were poor. They made the decision to carry the patient lower down the hill so that they would be below cloud level.
The helicopter arrived back on the mountain-side about 40 minutes later and was able to successfully lift the woman from the new location and bring her safely to hospital.
This was the second callout for the teams in two days. On Saturday, a nurse who was out walking on the Spinc in Glendalough sustained a head injury after falling from the boardwalk. Her colleagues, who were also nurses, treated her on the scene and helped her to walk to a waiting Mountain Rescue vehicle. She received further treatment from the Mountain Rescue volunteers and was transported to a waiting ambulance.
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