Busy morning for rescue services on Reek

IT'S been a busy morning so far for the rescue services on the Reek with the annual national pilgrimage taking place today.

Early reports are that numbers climbing the mountain are up on the last two years.

Mayo Mountain Rescue Team (MMRT) and the other emergency services have assisted a number of injured pilgrims this morning, as well as assisting a few casualties yesterday evening as they did their final preparations for today's event.

In their most recent update, MMRT report that they have assisted five people this morning.

The first was at 5.30 a.m. when a male casualty who suffered a hand injury was treated and was able to walk off the mountain himself.

Another male presented at 7 a.m. to one of the MR teams suffering from exposure to cold conditions and an hour later a female suffering from exhaustion was treated and also able to walk off the mountain herself.

A male suffering from fatigue has also been treated at the medical tent.

Two people who fell have been assisted. At 9.15 a.m. a female suffered facial and shoulder injuries in a fall and is being assessed and treated for injuries. More recently, at 10.13 a.m., a male casualty with a minor cut to the head was treated in the medical tent.

Yesterday evening MMRT were called to assist three people – the first was a male suffering from exhaustion and later, at 8.35 p.m., two people were reported missing on Croagh Patrick. They were located later safe and well in the car park.

Pilgrims are urged to heed the advice issued by MMRT.

Follow the team's Facebook page for updates.