A group of campers had to be rescued late on Wednesday night after getting into difficulty in the Mourne Mountains amid rapidly deteriorating weather conditions.
Mourne Mountain Rescue Team (MMRT) was called into action at 11.15pm (August 6) following a request from police.
A member of the group had made a 999 call expressing concern for their safety before losing mobile signal.
The group had provided little detail and no confirmed location, sparking a race against time for the team to find them.
Using limited location data from the emergency call, MMRT volunteers narrowed down a potential search area and located the group around 60 minutes later. They were found just above Crannog Quarry in the Bloody Bridge valley — cold, wet and already showing signs of exposure.
Given the worsening weather, which included strong winds and heavy rain, and factoring in the group’s limited experience and inadequate equipment, rescuers decided that a full evacuation was necessary for their safety.
The campers were brought safely down from the mountain, rewarmed at base, and then passed into the care of police for onward travel home.
A total of six MMRT members responded to the incident, which was stood down at 2.30am.
Following the rescue, a spokesperson for the team issued a stark reminder: “Whilst it may be summer, never underestimate the challenges faced when enjoying our mountains. Weather can deteriorate rapidly at any time of the year — including summer — and can become debilitating, catching out even the experienced.”
They urged hillwalkers and campers to ensure they are properly equipped and prepared: “Be sure you have the knowledge, skills and equipment for the prevailing conditions. And, as was the case tonight, if things don’t go to plan, recognising and acting quickly is key — including dialling 999 if you find yourself needing additional assistance.”
