Rescuers kept busy by 2011 rainstorms

The Glen of Imaal Red Cross Rescue team in Co Wicklow said rainstorms rather than snow and ice provided the most dramatic events…

The Glen of Imaal Red Cross Rescue team in Co Wicklow said rainstorms rather than snow and ice provided the most dramatic events in the past 12 months.

It had dealt with a record 66 callouts in 2010, with 20 per cent of them snow-related, and that was equalled in 2011 even though there was no snow.

Instead the most dramatic incidents were as a result of severe rainstorm events, while three of the 66 calls were to deal with fatalities – two cardiac and one drowning.

Over half of calls were to provide stretcher assistance to injured people.