The volunteers of Kerry Mountain Rescue have rescued an English woman after she fell while descending Carrauntoohil.

At around 1.45pm yesterday afternoon they were called out to the woman, who is in her 40s, after she had fallen whilst walking down the Central Gully with her climbing partner.

The Rescue 115 Coastguard Helicopter airlifted equipment and rescue personnel onto the mountain from Ard na Locha.

Having abseiled from near the summit, members of the team treated the casualty at the scene of the fall for head and suspected spinal injuries, before beginning to carry her down by stretcher more than 2,400ft down the mountain over what they described as “extremely difficult terrain”.

A rescue landrover took her from Ard na Locha to Kissane’s Cottage, where she was transferred to a waiting ambulance and brought to Kerry University Hospital for further treatment.

The whole rescue operation finished at around 10pm last night and involved 30 members of the rescue team.

Kerry Mountain Rescue said weather conditions on the mountain at the time were very good, but there are some hard compacted snow sections in north-facing gullies, while the ground on high ridges and around summit tops is still frozen.

They have urged walkers and climbers in the area to take care, and ensure that they are experienced in winter climbing and are properly equipped before planning a visit to the Reeks at this time.