Rescue team battles storm to save walker injured in fall

● Helicopter was unable to reach the man on Cairngorm

An injured walker who had been blown into a steep burn has been brought to safety after a dramatic eight-hour night time rescue in the Cairngorms.

Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team (CMRT) battled high winds to carry the man several miles by stretcher after the stormy weather meant they were unable to reach him by air.

The walker, who CMRT said was part of a group of “survival

ISLE OF ARRAN

skills enthusiasts” who had done “everything possible to look after themselves”, had sustained a serious leg injury after falling “some distance” into the steep watercourse in the Highlands.

A statement from the rescue service said: “CMRT were called out last night to assist a walker who had been blown over by stormy winds, and had fallen some distance into a steep watercourse, sustaining a serious leg injury. The injured walker was high in the Cairngorms, on steep ground, soaking wet, and suffering from a serious injury. We needed to get him to safety quickly, but the weather was deteriorating rapidly and darkness was falling.”

It said the team had requested assistance from the coastguard rescue helicopter, but the storm and low cloud meant it could not get close enough to the casualty and said the rest of the the team had to battle their way on foot over the summit of Cairngorm to reach the injured man.

The statement added: “After a brutal stretcher carry of several miles, rescuers were able to reach the stretcher party with 4x4 vehicles high in the ski area. The helicopter did some remarkable flying to get close to the casualty, but in the end they too were defeated by the weather. The aircraft was really being battered by the turbulence, but the crew just kept at it, trying to assist us. After a prolonged eight-hour rescue, the casualty was delivered to a waiting ambulance.

“A great outcome. The guys put in a tough shift last night, but it could have been a lot worse. It was a great example of team work with the helicopter.”

People took to social media to express their gratitude to Scotland’s mountain rescue teams.

A statement from Facebook page On the Adventure Trailsscotland said: “Thank you for your amazing support during times of need! What you provide truly makes the outdoors more accessible for the responsible enthusiast. We tip our hats to the ladies and gents of all mountain rescue teams!”