Bike lights lead rescuers to ill man
Helicopter takes hypothermia victim to hospital
Mountain rescue volunteers rushed to the aid of a mountain biker who fell ill with hypothermia near Loch Venachar this week – and located him thanks to a flashing light on his bike.
The 59-year-old man, who was visiting the area, was cycling on Rob Roy Way between Callander and Aberfoyle as part of a group on Tuesday afternoon when he became isolated and began to struggle and feel unwell.
Emergency services were contacted and, after a joint operation involving police, Killin Mountain Rescue, Coastguard search and rescue helicopter and the ambulance service, the man was located on the path and airlifted to Paisley Alexandra Hospital.
He is expected to make a full recovery. Bill Rose of Killin Mountain Rescue explained that rescue teams were contacted by emergency services for assistance and, after mobilising and attending the scene, a group found the stricken cyclist in the late afternoon, as darkness was drawing in.
He said: “Volunteers used their knowledge of the Rob Roy Way to pinpoint where the mountain biker was.
“However, it was actually a red flashing light on his bike that drew them to his exact location. He was found within an hour.
“After arriving they found that the man had hypothermic symptoms and the coastguard helicopter was called.
“After a ‘soft’ landing – where they keep the engine running – they managed to get him in and he was taken off to hospital for treatment.”
Police confirmed that while the man had fallen ill in difficult conditions, he is expected to make a full recovery. Callander-based Inspector Gerry McMenemy added: “This was another example of co-ordinated agencies working together to help people in difficulty and we very much appreciate the assistance of rescue volunteers.”
The following evening (Wednesday) Lomond Mountain Rescue Team rushed to the aid of dog walkers who had encountered difficulty on Ben Lomond.
After a search operation, involving involving 18 volunteers and the Coastguard helicopter, three people and two dogs were located. They had been walking on the Ptarmigan Ridge.
The group were cold, wet and hungry but uninjured and were taken to safety in the helicopter. Inspector McMenemy added: “If anyone finds that they are in difficulty they should contact the emergency services and we will get them the assistance they need.”
Earlier this month police teamed up with Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and Killin, Lomond and Arrochar Mountain Rescue Teams to launch a new initiative in rural Stirling.
The aim is to raise awareness of potential issues and dangers faced by outdoor enthusiasts in the area while highlighting the vital roles played by the rescue teams.
To help achieve this a series of videos have been made giving people advice on what equipment to take out with them, how to navigate and what to do if things go wrong.
More information can be found on the Forth Valley Police Facebook page.