Mourne Mountains: Three scouts hurt in 30m Slieve Binnian fall

Image source, Mourne Mountain Rescue Team

Image caption, Mourne Mountain Rescue Team says one of the three injured sustained "potentially serious injuries"

Three young people were taken to hospital after falling about 30m (98ft) on Slieve Binnian on Saturday.

They were part of a large group of scouts from Dublin who were in the "water slabs area" when two of them fell.

Mourne Mountain Rescue Team said one person sustained "potentially serious injuries".

The other had an injured leg, as did a third person who tried to help.

Scouting Ireland said 80 scouts and 40 adults were in the area to take part in a "mountain pursuit challenge".

"The scouts received medical assistance on the mountain and were transferred to hospital," it added.

Mourne Mountain Rescue Team received a call shortly before 17:00 BST to assist the group.

Sixteen team volunteers responded to the incident and treated two of the scouts, before carrying them by stretcher to rescue vehicles.

The third person who was injured was able to reach a track before local police assisted them to an ambulance.

Scouting Ireland said the adult scouter team was "experienced and included trained paramedics and mountain leaders".

It added: "We would like to thank the PSNI and Mourne Mountain Rescue who聽provided assistance to the group."

Mourne Mountain Rescue Team said the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 116 from Dublin had also responded to the scene but was unable to assist in worsening conditions.