August 2026
1 incident injured walker Northern Ireland
A walker was rescued from the Mourne Mountains on 16 August after sustaining a knee injury while returning from a walk in the Silent Valley area. The rescue team was initially called to locate a missing group of walkers who had been unreachable for three hours; that group was found safely. A second callout then assisted an injured walker back to road access for hospital transfer.
Outcome: casualty assisted to road access for hospital transfer
April 2026
3 incidents Wildfire Northern Ireland
Outcome: The fire was believed to be caused by deliberate ignition and required significant resources from emergency services.
Wildfire Northern Ireland Serious incident
Firefighting operations continued across the week in the Mourne Mountains following wildfires that affected areas including Ballagh Road, Newcastle, and Sandbank Road. Authorities advised the public to avoid these areas due to ongoing risks from the fires. The cause of the initial fire remains under investigation.
Outcome: Firefighting efforts continued; no specific outcome stated for the week.
Injury/Rescue Northern Ireland
A walker was rescued from the Annalong Valley area of the Mourne Mountains after sustaining a leg injury on Saturday, April 18th. The team located and treated the individual before arranging for helicopter evacuation to Donard Park.
Outcome: Evacuated by helicopter and transferred to hospital
October 2025
1 incident Flooding/Rescue Northern Ireland
A walker required assistance after camping in the Mourne Mountains during a yellow weather warning for heavy rain. The team was called out when the individual became unable to cross swollen rivers in the Annalong Valley. Volunteers were able to reach and escort the camper safely off the hill by avoiding river crossings.
Outcome: Rescued safely
August 2025
2 incidents body found Northern Ireland Serious incident
The body of a man was found during a search and rescue operation in the Mournes on 17 August after police received a report of an abandoned vehicle. Mourne Mountain Rescue Team and Search and Rescue Dog Association assisted in the search, with one of the rescue dogs locating the body within five minutes of arrival. Police have stated the death is not believed to be suspicious.
Outcome: body recovered
campers in difficulty from deteriorating weather Northern Ireland
A group of campers required rescue from the Mourne Mountains late on 6 August after becoming caught out by rapidly deteriorating weather conditions. They were located by Mourne Mountain Rescue Team in the Bloody Bridge valley showing signs of exposure, and were safely evacuated and rewarmed. The team emphasised the importance of proper equipment and preparation for mountain conditions.
Outcome: group safely evacuated and rewarmed at base
June 2025
1 incident injured walker Northern Ireland Serious incident
A walker sustained head and facial injuries after a fall on Rocky Mountain in The Mournes on 28 June. Other walkers provided first aid and assisted the casualty to Spence's River Valley, where Mourne Mountain Rescue Team met them and transported them to the roadside by off-road vehicle for onward hospital treatment.
Outcome: casualty transported to hospital by off-road vehicle
April 2025
1 incident injured walker Northern Ireland
A walker fell while descending Slieve Doan in the Mourne Mountains on Friday afternoon and sustained a lower leg injury. The Mourne Mountain Rescue Team responded and a HM Coastguard helicopter was tasked to the scene, evacuating the casualty to hospital.
Outcome: casualty evacuated by helicopter to hospital
March 2025
1 incident crag-fast walker Northern Ireland
A walker slipped while descending from the summit of Slieve Lamagan and became crag-fast in a precarious and dangerous position on the mountain. The Mourne Mountain Rescue Team and a SAR helicopter from Dublin attended, and the casualty was airlifted to safety and walked off uninjured.
Outcome: casualty airlifted by SAR helicopter and walked to safety uninjured
February 2025
1 incident missing person Northern Ireland
A 12-year-old girl missing since Friday was found safe and well in Donard Forest, Co Down, following an extensive search on Saturday involving police, Mourne Mountain Rescue Team, search dogs, drones, and a police helicopter. The child was cold but uninjured and was located around 8pm after a lengthy search as temperatures dropped overnight.
Outcome: missing child found safe and well, albeit cold
January 2025
2 incidents lost teenagers Northern Ireland
Two teenagers became lost on Slieve Donard in deteriorating weather and darkness after reaching the summit and struggling to descend. The Mourne Mountain Rescue Team attended and treated them for exposure before walking them off the mountain to safety.
Outcome: both teenagers treated for exposure and walked off the mountain safely
teenagers in difficulty Northern Ireland
Three teenagers were rescued from the slopes of Slieve Donard after getting into difficulty during challenging conditions over the weekend. The rescue took place in winter weather on the mountain in County Down.
Outcome: rescued
June 2024
4 incidents injured walker and medical emergency Northern Ireland
Two walkers were rescued from the Mourne Mountains on the same day. One fell at the summit of Slieve Bearnagh and was winched to a helicopter by Irish Coast Guard; another took ill at Pollaphuca Gap and was airlifted to hospital.
Outcome: both casualties evacuated by helicopter to hospital
injured walker and medical emergency Northern Ireland
Two separate mountain rescue incidents occurred in the Mournes on Saturday. A walker suffered a leg injury from a fall on Slieve Bearnagh Summit Tor and was airlifted by Irish Coast Guard helicopter, while another walker who became ill during descent from the Gap of Pollaphuca was rescued and transferred to hospital by UK Coast Guard helicopter.
Outcome: both casualties airlifted by helicopter and transferred for medical care
leg injury from fall; medical emergency Northern Ireland
Mourne Mountain Rescue Team responded to two separate incidents on the Mourne Mountains on Saturday. One casualty sustained a leg injury following a fall, while another person fell ill. Both were rescued during helicopter operations.
Outcome: both rescued by helicopter
quad accident Northern Ireland Serious incident
A farmer suffered serious injuries in a quad accident on Slieve Muck in the Mourne Mountains on 10 June 2024 and was rescued with his uninjured dog. The farmer was stabilised by emergency responders, airlifted by helicopter to an ambulance, and conveyed to hospital, while the dog was evacuated on foot by police.
Outcome: casualty airlifted to hospital; dog evacuated uninjured
October 2023
2 incidents Northern Ireland Serious incident
A body was recovered from mountains following a search operation. Tributes were paid to the deceased, described as a father of three.
missing person Northern Ireland Serious incident
The body of a missing man from Portadown was recovered from the Mourne Mountains and subsequently identified. The 41-year-old had been reported missing prior to the discovery.
Outcome: body recovered
July 2023
1 incident medical emergency / collapsed walker Northern Ireland Serious incident
A walker collapsed at the summit of Slieve Donard on 13 July 2023 and died at the scene. Mourne Mountain Rescue Team responded with twelve members, supported by Air Ambulance and a Search and Rescue Aircraft, but despite their efforts the walker could not be revived.
Outcome: walker pronounced dead at scene
June 2023
2 incidents fallen walker with serious injuries Northern Ireland Serious incident
A man suffered a serious fall on Slieve Binnian and was airlifted to hospital by the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team. He sustained multiple fractures including to the skull, ribs and pelvis, and was told by hospital doctors he was fortunate to have survived the incident.
Outcome: casualty airlifted to hospital with multiple fractures
injured walker Northern Ireland Serious incident
A man sustained a fractured skull, ribs and pelvis after falling while hiking in the Mourne Mountains. He required rescue and evacuation for treatment of his serious injuries.
Outcome: casualty evacuated
April 2023
1 incident mountaineer death Northern Ireland Serious incident
Noel Hanna, a highly accomplished Irish mountaineer, died at Camp 4 on Mount Annapurna on 17 April 2023 following a successful summit. He passed away overnight in his tent while descending; the cause of death has not been confirmed.
Outcome: fatality
February 2023
1 incident broken ankle Northern Ireland
A photographer from Fermanagh broke his ankle while descending Slieve Donard in the Mourne mountains on 9 February 2023. After initially attempting to descend unaided in severe conditions, he was airlifted by Coast Guard helicopter to hospital where he received treatment and was discharged with a plaster cast.
Outcome: airlifted by Coast Guard helicopter to hospital, treated and discharged with plaster cast
December 2022
1 incident seriously injured mountain biker Northern Ireland Serious incident
A mountain biker sustained serious injuries on a trail in Ballyedmund Forest, Rostrevor on 30 December 2022. Mourne Mountain Rescue volunteers, the Air Ambulance, and emergency services responded, stretching the casualty off the hillside and airlifting them to hospital in a four-hour operation involving 18 team members.
Outcome: casualty evacuated by stretcher and airlifted to hospital by Air Ambulance
October 2022
1 incident fall from height Northern Ireland Serious incident
Three young scouts fell approximately 30 metres on Slieve Binnian in the water slabs area whilst part of a large group undertaking a mountain pursuit challenge. One sustained potentially serious injuries and two others were injured during the fall or whilst attempting to help. All three were evacuated by mountain rescue and transferred to hospital.
Outcome: three casualties evacuated by stretcher and ambulance to hospital
July 2022
2 incidents injured mountain biker Northern Ireland Serious incident
A mountain biker sustained a serious leg injury in Donard Wood on 31 July 2022. The Mourne Mountain Rescue Team and NI Air Ambulance attended, treated the casualty and transported him by stretcher to a team vehicle, then by helicopter to hospital.
Outcome: casualty evacuated by air ambulance to hospital
dog with heat exhaustion Northern Ireland Serious incident
A golden retriever suffering from suspected heat exhaustion was rescued from the Glen River area of the Mourne Mountains after being walked on an exceptionally hot day. The dog was treated and evacuated by stretcher over three hours by a team of twelve Mourne Mountain Rescue volunteers, then transported to a local veterinary clinic.
Outcome: dog carried off mountain by stretcher and taken to vets
June 2022
1 incident missing children Northern Ireland
Two children who became separated during an orienteering exercise at Tollymore Forest Park were reported missing on the evening of 14 June. They were located safe and well approximately two miles from their last known location just before midnight, with assistance from the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team, search dogs, and police air support.
Outcome: both children located safe and well
April 2021
2 incidents wildfire Northern Ireland
A major wildfire in the Mourne Mountains started deliberately in the early hours of 23 April and covered 3.5 square kilometres. Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, supported by numerous partner agencies including Mourne Mountain Rescue, completed firefighting operations on 25 April after mobilising over 100 firefighters and specialist equipment.
Outcome: fire extinguished after 2.5 days; no casualties reported
medical emergency / collapse Northern Ireland Serious incident
A walker collapsed on Slieve Donard between the summit and Bog of Donard col on 17 April 2021. Despite the efforts of rescue team members and medical personnel, the walker was pronounced dead at the scene. The casualty was recovered by stretcher and handed to undertakers.
Outcome: deceased at scene
January 2021
1 incident medical emergency / collapse Northern Ireland Serious incident
A walker collapsed and died at Mourne Mountains during descent from the Donard Commedagh Saddle on 1 January 2021. Despite a large coordinated emergency response involving multiple rescue teams, ambulance services, and local walkers, the casualty could not be saved and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Outcome: casualty pronounced deceased at scene, evacuated by stretcher
December 2020
2 incidents multiple incidents: unwell walker, walkers in difficulty, lower leg injury Northern Ireland
Mourne Mountain Rescue Team attended five separate incidents on Wednesday, including three walkers airlifted by rescue helicopter from Slieve Donard. Additional incidents involved walkers in difficulty on Slieve Binnian and a walker with a lower leg injury in the Glen River area, all attributed by the team to inadequate preparation for winter conditions.
Outcome: three airlifted by helicopter, walkers assisted or handed to NIAS
medical emergency Northern Ireland
A woman was rescued by Mourne Mountain Rescue Team after becoming unwell while ascending Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains on 28 December 2020. Team members who were nearby provided immediate support and shelter whilst awaiting the full team response, and the casualty was assisted down the mountain and transported to family care.
Outcome: casualty assisted down mountain and transported to care of friends and family
October 2020
2 incidents injured walker Northern Ireland Serious incident
Rescue teams responded to Slieve Donard after a walker sustained head injuries from a fall on the mountain. The casualty was treated for head injuries during the rescue operation.
Outcome: casualty evacuated with head injuries
medical emergency Northern Ireland Serious incident
A walker collapsed and died while in the Mourne Mountains near Windy Gap on Saturday afternoon. The Mourne Mountain Rescue Team attended, and despite the efforts of his walking companion, nearby walkers, and the NI Air Ambulance, the man was pronounced deceased at the scene. The team recovered the deceased and transferred them to undertakers.
Outcome: deceased at scene
March 2019
1 incident injured hillwalkers Northern Ireland
Mourne Mountain Rescue Team responded to an incident on Slieve Donard involving two injured hillwalkers. The team successfully rescued both casualties from the mountain.
Outcome: two casualties rescued
January 2019
1 incident fatal falls in high winds Northern Ireland Serious incident
Two men died in separate falls on Wee Binnian and Slieve Commedagh in the Mourne Mountains on Sunday during high winds. A third man suffered a broken ankle in a separate incident and was rescued. The deaths are attributed to exceptional wind conditions that caught walkers unaware.
Outcome: two fatalities at scene, one casualty with broken ankle rescued
December 2018
1 incident missing runner Northern Ireland Serious incident
A runner went missing on the Mourne Mountains and was subsequently found dead. Seventeen members of the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team, along with local police and Police Air Support, conducted a search and recovery operation. The death was not being treated as suspicious.
Outcome: body recovered
September 2018
1 incident mountain biker injured in fall Northern Ireland Serious incident
A mountain biker sustained serious injuries after falling during an event in the Mourne Mountains. The incident occurred during an organised event in the area.
August 2018
1 incident hiker struck by falling sheep Northern Ireland Serious incident
A teenager hiking in the Mourne mountains was struck by a sheep that fell from a crag near Hare's Gap on Slieve Bearnagh. He was evacuated by seventeen Mourne Mountain Rescue Team members and taken to hospital, where he was treated and discharged. The sheep was believed to be uninjured.
Outcome: casualty taken to hospital, treated and discharged
August 2017
2 incidents missing person Northern Ireland
A nineteen-member Mourne Mountain Rescue Team responded to a police alert for a high-risk missing person in the Mournes on Thursday night. The operation lasted approximately two hours, after which the person was located and transferred to hospital for assessment.
Outcome: person located and transferred to hospital for assessment
weather emergency, hypothermia and minor injuries Northern Ireland
A group of approximately 70 Army cadets from England, including 58 children aged 12 to 17, encountered treacherous weather on the Mourne Mountains in County Down. An emergency operation was launched involving coastguard, ambulance, helicopter and mountain rescue teams; 17 children were stretchered off the mountain with 16 cases of hypothermia and minor injuries including ankle injuries and cold-related conditions reported.
Outcome: 17 casualties stretchered off the mountain and treated; no serious or life-threatening injuries reported
July 2017
2 incidents group in difficulties - exposure and injuries Northern Ireland
A 73-strong group of Army cadets encountered difficulties during a training exercise in the Mourne Mountains in treacherous weather. Eight cadets were taken to hospital with ankle injuries and exposure-related conditions; 17 required stretcher evacuation. All were subsequently discharged and returned to their base camp.
Outcome: eight cadets hospitalised with ankle injuries and exposure; all discharged and returned to camp
hikers with fall injuries Northern Ireland Serious incident
Two hikers were rescued from Slieve Bearnagh in the Mourne mountains after falls on steep rocky ground. One man suffered head and back injuries after falling near granite slabs, and a second was injured while attempting to assist. Both were airlifted to hospital by Coastguard helicopters.
Outcome: both casualties airlifted to hospital by Coastguard helicopters
June 2017
2 incidents injured walker Northern Ireland
Four teenage scouts from 1st Tandragee Scout Group came across an injured walker on the Bloody Bridge track in the Mourne Mountains on Saturday morning. They provided first aid using their scarves and a rucksack, then descended to find mobile reception and called mountain rescue. The casualty was treated and evacuated by stretcher to hospital.
Outcome: casualty evacuated by stretcher to hospital
injured walker Northern Ireland
Four Scouts discovered an injured walker with a lower leg injury near Bloody Bridge in the Mournes in June. Unable to contact rescue services by phone or radio, they provided first aid using their neck scarves and fashioned a stretcher from their equipment to carry him down the mountain to a point where they could summon help from Mourne Mountain Rescue Team. The boys were subsequently awarded special recognition for their quick thinking and selfless actions.
Outcome: casualty assisted down mountain by Scouts, evacuated by Mourne Mountain Rescue Team
April 2017
3 incidents walker seriously injured in fall Northern Ireland Serious incident
A walker fell approximately 50 metres at the water slabs in Annalong Valley in the Mourne Mountains on Monday afternoon. He sustained serious injuries to his head, neck and chest and was airlifted by Dublin Coastguard helicopter to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. The rescue operation, involving 18 Mourne Mountain Rescue Team volunteers and ambulance service personnel, took approximately 4½ hours.
Outcome: casualty airlifted by helicopter to Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast
injured walker Northern Ireland Serious incident
A man fell approximately 30–50 metres down the water slabs near Slieve Binnian in the Mourne mountains on 28 April 2017. He sustained multiple injuries including head, neck and chest injuries. He was treated by Mourne Mountain Rescue and airlifted by helicopter to Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital in serious condition.
Outcome: airlifted to Belfast Royal Victoria Hospital in serious condition
fallen walker Northern Ireland Serious incident
A man fell approximately 50 metres in the Mourne Mountains near Slieve Binnian on Monday afternoon, sustaining multiple injuries including head, neck and chest trauma. Other walkers raised the alarm and the Mourne Mountain Rescue Service assisted before he was airlifted to hospital in critical condition.
Outcome: airlifted to hospital in critical condition
October 2016
1 incident fall from cliff Northern Ireland Serious incident
A man fell approximately 25–30 metres from cliffs on Slieve Comedagh in the Mourne Mountains and was airlifted to hospital by rescue helicopter. Mourne Mountain Rescue and ambulance paramedics assisted the casualty and his partner, who was stranded on a ledge above. The man was treated for injuries to his legs, pelvis and ankles, which were not thought to be life-threatening.
Outcome: airlifted to hospital by rescue helicopter
August 2016
1 incident injured hiker Northern Ireland
A woman was rescued after sustaining a leg injury during a fall while hiking in the Mourne Mountains. The extent of her injuries and full details of the rescue operation were not specified in the available report.
Outcome: casualty rescued
June 2016
1 incident multiple injured walkers Northern Ireland
Mourne Mountain Rescue Team responded to three separate incidents on the same day involving injured walkers in the Mourne Mountains. A young person with an arm injury, a woman with a head injury who required helicopter evacuation, and another woman with a leg injury were all assisted to safety with help from the Coastguard helicopter, ambulance service, and team medical personnel.
Outcome: all three casualties evacuated to hospital by helicopter and ambulance
April 2016
1 incident severe hypothermia Northern Ireland Serious incident
A 16-year-old student from Royal School, Dungannon, suffered severe hypothermia and lost consciousness during a Duke of Edinburgh expedition in the Mourne mountains on 2 April 2016. Several group members also experienced mild hypothermia when conditions deteriorated near Slieve Beg. The Mourne Mountain Rescue Team was called and all 11 students were located and treated; the affected student was stretchered down and recovered at home without requiring hospital admission.
Outcome: casualty stretchered down and evacuated, no hospital treatment required, made good recovery at home
January 2016
1 incident injured walker Northern Ireland
A walker fell while descending Slieve Binnian in the Mourne Mountains on Monday afternoon. Mourne Mountain Rescue Team located him within an hour despite difficult visibility and terrain, then evacuated him by stretcher over two and a half hours. The casualty sustained a lower right leg fracture and mild hypothermia but was successfully brought to safety.
Outcome: casualty evacuated by stretcher with fracture and mild hypothermia
July 2015
1 incident lost group, poor weather Northern Ireland
Seven teenage girls, aged 16 and 17, were rescued from the Mourne mountains after becoming lost in poor weather and limited visibility. The group, on a Girls Brigade camping trip, called for help and sheltered in a tent near Blue Lough. Two girls were treated for exposure, with one hospitalised as a precaution, but all were reunited with their families.
Outcome: all rescued; two treated for exposure, one taken to hospital as precaution
August 2014
1 incident missing persons Northern Ireland
A father and teenage son were rescued after becoming lost in the Mourne Mountains during a camping trip. They went missing for 13 hours after poor weather conditions caught them by surprise on Monday, but made the correct decision to pitch their tent and wait for help. Both were found exhausted and suffering from mild hypothermia but were otherwise uninjured.
Outcome: both rescued, exhausted and mildly hypothermic
October 2004
1 incident stranded group with hypothermia Northern Ireland Serious incident
Thirty-three teenagers and a teacher became stranded in the Mourne Mountains during bad weather on Sunday. The Mourne Mountain Rescue Team escorted the group down the mountain before dark. Four teenagers were hospitalised with hypothermia and twelve others were treated for minor symptoms, though all were discharged by midnight.
Outcome: all escorted down safely; four treated for hypothermia, twelve for minor symptoms, all discharged from hospital by midnight
February 2000
1 incident missing person Northern Ireland
A 71-year-old man went missing from a nursing home in Castlewellan on the evening of 23 February 2000. A large-scale search involving approximately 70 people, including mountain rescue teams, police, tracker dogs, and an army helicopter with thermal imaging equipment, was launched. He was found safe in fields near the home early on 24 February, suffering from mild exposure.
Outcome: found safe with mild exposure, taken to hospital for observation