Mobile phone photograph guides rescuers to climbers

A PHOTOGRAPH sent from a mobile phone guided rescuers to mountain climbers in difficulty over the August bank holiday, it was confirmed yesterday.

It was believed to have been the first time a mobile camera was used to aid a rescue attempt.

But the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team (KMRT) has firmly warned hill walkers that mobile phone coverage cannot be guaranteed in all mountainous areas.

Satellite navigation systems and camera flashes have also been used to help pinpoint the positions of people in difficulty.

On Friday, the KMRT was called out after four women lost their way while descending Carrantuohill. One of the group fell and sustained a leg injury and the group did not know their position.

Their location was confirmed when one of them sent a photo of a mountain lake from a mobile phone.

Team deputy spokesman Damien Courtney said many of the systems used by people to raise an alarm depended on mobile phones and, in the latest incident, the people were fortunate to have been in an area with coverage.

“Coverage in these areas has improved greatly in recent years but people relying on mobile phones must always remember that coverage can be limited in certain areas,” he said.

“There are still blackspots up there and there’s also the danger that batteries will run down.

“While modern means of communications are of great assistance, there’s no substitute for basic navigation skills and the use of a map and compass,” he said.

A group of people from the Black Valley provided assistance before the rescue team members arrived.

The injured woman was lowered a short distance down the mountain in a stretcher and airlifted by the Irish Coast Guard helicopter to Kerry General Hospital, in Tralee.

The remaining three women walked down the mountain, assisted by the team.

On Saturday, the helicopter was involved in another operation after a man developed medical problems while descending Carrantuohill via the Devil’s Ladder.

He was in a group of three and was unable to continue after experiencing severe chest and stomach pains. It was not possible to airlift the man from his initial position because conditions were very cloudy.

The rescue team provided first aid to the man, who was also suffering from hypothermia. He was stretchered to the bottom of a steep gully and airlifted to Kerry General Hospital.

The team was called on Monday night after two members of a five-strong English walking group felt tired and unable to descend Carrantuohill, having reached the summit.

They were directed to the Devil’s Ladder where they were met by KMRT members who gave them energy food and drinks and assisted them off the mountain.