A major search operation is underway in the Comeragh mountains for a female moutain runner who is missing.
The 37 year old was last seen at around quarter to one on Sunday. She was due to return from her run along the Coumshingaun Loop trail at 2pm but when her husband did not hear from her he alerted emergency services at 3pm.
South East Mountain Rescue and the rescue helicopter RII7 were alerted yesterday at around 3pm and continued their search this morning at 7am for the woman with assistance from Civil Defence, the Search and Rescue Dog Association and members of other mountain rescue teams.
Rescue teams are asking landowners to search their land on the Comeragh mountains.
The female runner was wearing a grey and pink hoody and black trousers and a bobble hat. She is understood to be from along the Tipperary-Waterford border.
Liz Browne, a SEMRA spokesperson said: “We believe that the lady who is missing completed her run successfully but is not a navigator. Heavy cloud descended on the mountain. We are working on the belief that she became disorientated.
“Her phone is still operational as it is ringing out but she could have let it fall and damaged it or she could have lost it unbeknownst to herself.
“We are hoping she was able to find some sort of mountain coverage to keep her warm overnight as it was very cold and damp overnight. She would have been very uncomfortable overnight.”
Overnight search
Ms Browne explained that gardaí and search teams manned all entrances onto the Comeraghs in hope that the missing woman would see the emergency blue flashing lights in the distance.
“We are appealing to all landowners across the area to join the search as they may know of areas where the missing mountain runner could have found shelter. Everyone is doing their best to find her as soon as possible.
“We would ask walkers in the Nire Valley, Rathgormack or Mahon Falls areas to keep an eye out for anything unusual and to contact the gardaí or SEMRA.”
Gardaí are asking hill walkers and farmers in the Coumsinghaun, Mahon Falls, Ballymacarabry and Rathgormack areas to be on alert for any sightings of the woman and to contact gardaí in Tramore on 051-381 333.
picture courtesy of SEMRA facebook page
additional reporting by Sarah Slater
Liz Browne, PRO of South East Mountain Rescue, spoke to Damien Tiernan this morning about the search operation.
You can listen back to that interview by clicking below here...
