Woman airlifted from Croagh Patrick after collapsing near summit

Fellow climbers performed CPR on the woman.

Fellow climbers carried out CPR on the woman, before a defibrillator was deployed from St Patrick’s Oratory - a church located at the top of the iconic mountain.

Emergency services were immediately alerted and the Irish Coast Guard dispatched a Sligo-based R118 helicopter close to 5pm yesterday afternoon.

Rescue workers found themselves with a tricky operation when they arrived at the scene, as the woman was located on a steep slope, making it difficult for them to reach her.

Eventually, they were able to make contact with the woman, and she was subsequently secured in a stretcher and hoisted into the Coast Guard helicopter.

The woman was transported to Mayo General Hospital where she is still undergoing treatment.

The incident occurred just two days after Reek Sunday, one of the busiest days of the year at the historical site.

Traditionally, Reek Sunday is celebrated on the last Sunday of July.

Pilgrims, some of whom make the ascent in their bare feet, scale the mountain to pray and participate in the sacraments of confession and the Eucharist.

The event saw people from all ages ascending the rocky paths on the 765 metre mountain.

Three solar-power defibrillators have been installed at Croagh Patrick in the last couple of years, which do not require batteries to be operated and can safely store vital medications.

Thanks to remote monitoring technology, the unit was replaced within three hours.