Last Sunday (07-MAR-10) Mountain Rescue teams were called in by the PSNI to help locate a 65 year old gentleman described as 'vulnerable'. The man went missing at the end of a walk with a friend in the Murlough nature reserve outside Newcastle at about 12:30 on Sunday. The PSNI immediately called in a police helicopter to search the extensive area of sand dunes and farmland, requesting Mountain Rescue assistance at 17:00. A major search operation swung into action with the Mourne team and PSNI coordinating a large multi-agency response. Local Coast Guard units began to search the shore and dune area, while the Mourne team searched adjacent farmland and outbuildings. As the night progressed they were joined by members of the North West MRT and PSNI teams, SARDA, Fire & Rescue Service, Community Search and Rescue, two lifeboats and at various times three helicopters.

As dawn broke, no find had been made and there were grave concerns for the gentleman as temperatures had fallen as low as -8C. Mountain Rescue Teams, PSNI and Community Search and Rescue teams continued to search and their perseverance paid off when at about 15:00 on Monday he was found by a joint Mourne/North West search team suffering from severe hypothermia. After a night in hospital he made a good recovery and was allowed home.

The Mourne team would like to thank all who helped in a difficult operation, especially those who made a long journey to offer their services.

Dave Goddard
Mourne MRT
028 4377 8832
www.mmrt.org.uk