Mountain Rescue teams
receive new vehicles

 

Mountain safety was today given a huge boost when Sport Northern Ireland Chair, Dominic Walsh, handed over the keys of three new mountain rescue vehicles to the Mourne and North West Mountain Rescue Teams.  

At the handover Dominic Walsh said: “Northern Ireland is home to some spectacular sceneries and it is important we encourage everyone to get out and enjoy them, but to enjoy them safely.” 

Pictured Left to Right: Ed Kilgore MBE, Chair Mourne Mountain Rescue Team, Dominic Walsh, Chair Sport Northern Ireland (SNI), Joe Dowdall, Team Leader North West Mountain Rescue Team, Nick Harkness, SNI, Anthony Murray, North West Mountain Rescue Team, Eamonn McCartan, CEO SNI and David Corbet, Mourne Mountain Rescue Team.

Eamonn McCartan, Chief Executive of Sport Northern Ireland continued: “With an increasing number of people visiting Northern Ireland’s mountains this is resulting in more rescue recoveries having to be made. These vehicles will allow the dedicated volunteers from both the Mourne and North West teams to continue the vital work they do in ensuring the safety of others and saving peoples lives. Huge credit must go to the members of both teams for their commitment and bravery.”

Ed Kilgore MBE, Chair of the Mourne Mountain Rescue team spoke on the impact these vehicles will make to their team: “This new vehicle has been fitted with a dedicated communication system which will allow us to track our own team members. It is imperative that we ensure the safety of our team when they are out rescuing others – this system will go some way towards this. It also gives us a self contained forward base to allow full operational control throughout a rescue with links to all the other rescue services.”

Welcoming the investment, Joe Dowdall, Team Leader of the North West Mountain Rescue team added: "The North West Mountain Rescue team welcomes Sport Northern Ireland’s recognition of the importance of mountain safety and its continuing investment. These two vehicles will play an invaluable role in enabling our teams to assist those in difficulties.”

Mr. Dowdall went on to stress the importance of being adequately prepared to remain safe: “It is important anyone heading to the mountains and hills is properly equipped and prepared to cope with changing ground and weather conditions before setting off.”