Hillwalker (69) found safe and well on Galway mountain

A hillwalker who became separated from his group while out walking on Sunday was found safe and well on Monday morning.

Galway Mountain Rescue team said te 69-year-old man was found about 4km from where he had originally become detached from the group. He was treated by paramedics at the scene and sent home about 3am.

He became detached from his walking group as they were traversing an area of wilderness south of the N59 Clifden Road between Oughterard and Maam Cross known as Logganaffrin on Sunday afternoon.

The man was reported missing by the remaining members of the group at 5.30pm. When they reached the designated end point of the walk they found he had not yet arrived.

Team members were deployed along roads bordering the eastern and western edges of the search area and began a search for the missing man at approximately 7pm.

Landmarks

Mobile phone contact was established with him however he has been unable to distinguish any landmarks or pinpoint his location for rescuers. Visibility is down to 10m.

Galway Mountain Rescue Team spokesman Ronan Concannon said mobile phone contact had been resumed and the missing man in "good spirits".

Two search and rescue dogs with handlers arrived on the scene on Sunday night and are searching for the missing man though the weather is deteriorating.

Local Coast Guard teams are also assisting with Salthill gardaí co-ordinating operations.