Disabled woman (75) rescued by emergency services after going missing during Derry Diocese trip to Lourdes

A 75 year-old disabled woman, who travelled to Lourdes with a group from the Diocese of Derry, had to be rescued by emergency services after she went missing on the trip.

According to Breakingnews.ie, the woman disappeared last Sunday evening during the pilgrimage.

She was reported missing by pilgrimage organisers on Monday morning.

A major search operation was launched and the woman's walking frame was discovered on the side of the road near the commune of Lugagnan.

She was found by firefighters 10 metres below a roadway nearby. French police believe that she crossed the Gave de Pau river, as she was discovered in a steep, inaccessible area on the opposite bank.

The woman had sustained a hip injury and was transferred to hospital, where she received treatment for injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

French police say a recently introduced text alert system helped to locate the Irish woman.

A message regarding her disappearance was circulated by police to shopkeepers, taxi drivers, train operators, and other professionals. A witness came forward shortly afterwards.

It is understood the witness found a document belonging to the missing woman on the outskirts of Lourdes on a road towards Argeles-Gazost.

The search then focused on that area, and police officers on mountain bike patrol spotted her walking frame on the side of the road near Lugagnan.

It is understood the woman was rescued by firefighters and was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Lourdes.