Mobile app helps mountain rescuers find lost runner

A MOUNTAIN rescue team managed to locate a lost, long-distance runner thanks to new technology which tracked his mobile phone to within 100m.

The runner was reported missing at 6pm on Sunday after he lost his bearings while training for this Friday’s Art O’Neill Challenge, which requires participants to run 55km overnight through the Wicklow Mountains.

In this case, the man had lost his GPS unit and strayed into a remote location. After receiving the 999 call, the Dublin and Wicklow Mountain rescue team, and the Glen of Imaal Mountain rescue team, put their members on full call-out.

When they found out he had his smartphone with him, the rescuers were able to use software developed by Mountain Rescue to send him a link by text message.

That opened up a mobile app which determined his location and sent the coordinates to a computer.

Using that information the rescuers were able to establish his location to within 100 metres. Once the man was reached by volunteers, he was given warm clothing, assessed for any potential medical issues and brought to safety. The rescue was completed by 9pm.

“Searching for a person in the dark over rough ground is physically strenuous and slow work so in this case the Mountain Rescue location software was of significant benefit,” said Brian O’Doherty, Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue public relations officer.