Pilgrims who have accidents while climbing Croagh Patrick could soon be airlifted to safety much more quickly if proposals by Mayo to build a permanent emergency helicopter landing pad for Croagh Patrick go ahead.The council has decided in principle to provide the facility on the higher slopes or even the summit of the 760 metre high mountain.
A spokesman the council has confirmed that plans for the landing pad are, “at the early stages,” and said one of the first steps will be to carry out a, “reconnaissance,” of the mountain to determine where a landing pad might best be sited, and this is expected to be undertaken over the next three months.
Croagh Patrick traditionally attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists every year, and in recent years, increasing number of outdoor enthusiasts and participants in climbs to raise money for charity.
Every year, dozens of people run into difficulty on the mountain path, either through slipping on the rocky terrain or falling ill for other reasons.
Many of those who get hurt climbing the Reek lose their footing on the steep and stony final stage of the ascent, and at present, it is nigh impossible to land a helicopter there to lift them to safety.
Mayo Mountain Rescue, who climb to the assistance of those who get injured on the slope support the idea for a helipad.
They say that a landing pad facility is necessary, “due to the difficulties sometimes experienced in transferring fall victims to a helicopter.”
Coastguard helicopters fly rescue sorties, and injured climbers are usually airlifted to Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar, which is 22 kilometres away. If the landing pad is developed, it is expected it will be lit at night so that helicopters can carry out missions in darkness and solar-powered lighting will be used, as there is no cabled electricity.
If Mayo County Council is installing the facility, it will have to seek planning permission through what is called a, Part 8 process, which arises when a local authority plans to carry out work for itself.