Incident reports

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February 2023

4 incidents

Dovestone, Greenfield

member of public in trouble Peak District

A member of the public required rescue at Dovestone following an incident in the area. Greater Manchester Police Air Support Unit, Saddleworth & Lees neighbourhood team, and Oldham Mountain Rescue worked together to assist. The casualty was recovered safely.

Outcome: casualty rescued safely and reported well

Slieve Donard, Mourne mountains

broken ankle Northern Ireland

A photographer from Fermanagh broke his ankle while descending Slieve Donard in the Mourne mountains on 9 February 2023. After initially attempting to descend unaided in severe conditions, he was airlifted by Coast Guard helicopter to hospital where he received treatment and was discharged with a plaster cast.

Outcome: airlifted by Coast Guard helicopter to hospital, treated and discharged with plaster cast

Ben Cruachan

Fall/Accident Highlands Serious incident

A hillwalker sadly passed away after falling from near the summit of Ben Cruachan last week. Mountain rescue teams and Police Scotland responded to the incident on February 7th, with personnel eventually reaching the casualty's location.

Outcome: Fatality

January 2023

4 incidents

Ben Nevis, Glen Nevis

missing person Highlands Serious incident

A 42-year-old man from Peterborough went missing on 27 January 2023 whilst attempting to climb Ben Nevis in Scotland. His car was found at a layby in Glen Nevis three days later, and multiple mountain rescue teams, including dog handlers, conducted searches in difficult weather conditions with high winds and heavy rain.

Ben Nevis

Mountain Rescue/Accident Highlands Serious incident

The team responded to numerous callouts throughout 2022, with a significant number occurring on Ben Nevis. Notable incidents included an eight-hour rescue following a fall from the mountain and another involving an avalanche that resulted in serious injuries.

Outcome: Multiple rescues, including fatalities and severe injuries.

Ben Nevis

avalanche Highlands Serious incident

A Bristol teacher was killed in an avalanche on Ben Nevis. The incident occurred on or shortly before the publication date of 5 January 2023.

Outcome: fatality

missing persons / water rescue Brecon Beacons Serious incident

Two women entered the water at Ystradfellte Falls in Brecon Beacons National Park on 4 January 2023. One body was recovered on Thursday and a second body was found in the river near Glynneath on Sunday after a four-day search involving mountain rescue, fire services and air support.

Outcome: two bodies recovered

December 2022

9 incidents

Ben Nevis

avalanche Highlands Serious incident

An avalanche on Ben Nevis on 30 December resulted in the death of a 48-year-old climber and serious injury to a 40-year-old man who slid approximately 600 metres down the mountain. The injured casualty was evacuated by helicopter to Belford Hospital after an eight-hour extrication operation in challenging weather conditions.

Outcome: one fatality; one casualty evacuated by helicopter to hospital with serious injuries

Exmoor National Park, West Somerset

Missing Person Search South West

The team was called out by Avon and Somerset Police to assist with a high-risk missing person search on the edge of Exmoor National Park in West Somerset. The missing person was located with assistance from members of the public and subsequently transferred for assessment before being airlifted to hospital.

Outcome: Found and transported to hospital

missing person Highlands Serious incident

A 43-year-old man reported missing from the Carlisle area, believed to have travelled to Caithness on Christmas Day, was searched for by mountain rescue teams after his car was found abandoned near Dunnet Head. Multiple rescue agencies including Assynt Mountain Rescue Team, police, coastguard, lifeboat services and a helicopter conducted an extensive search of the Highlands coastline, but he was not located.

Outcome: not traced despite extensive search

Dovestones Reservoir

man fallen into water Peak District

A man became separated from companions whilst walking at Dovestones Reservoir on Christmas Day and fell into Chew Brook. He was located by police helicopter and ground officers, then assisted by Oldham Mountain Rescue Team volunteers who helped him to safety. He was assessed and transferred to hospital for further checks.

Outcome: casualty escorted to safety, assessed, and handed over to ambulance service for hospital transport

North Devon

Missing Person Search South West

The team assisted Devon & Cornwall Police with searches for a high-risk missing person in North Devon across two callouts around Christmas. Despite extensive efforts involving multiple agencies and search dogs, both searches were ultimately inconclusive.

Outcome: Inconclusive

Littletown

Animal Rescue Lake District

Rescuers were called out to assist with two sheep that had become trapped above Littletown. After initial attempts failed, the team secured the animals using spikes driven into the ground and eventually managed to bring one down safely.

Outcome: Both sheep were successfully rescued.

immersion in frozen water Highlands

A 25-year-old man fell into a frozen river at Devil's Pulpit in Finnich Glen, Stirlingshire, whilst walking. After hauling himself onto a rock, he texted his family and managed to alert emergency services before losing consciousness. He was rescued by Lomond Mountain Rescue Service and treated for hypothermia.

Outcome: rescued and treated for hypothermia by Scottish Ambulance Service

Corn Du, Brecon Beacons

hypothermia Brecon Beacons

A man with hypothermia was rescued from the summit of Corn Du in the Brecon Beacons after rescue teams were called on Sunday evening. Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team located him with assistance from a search dog and police drone. He was assessed medically and safely evacuated.

Outcome: casualty evacuated safely after medical assessment

injured climber with suspected broken ankle Snowdonia

A climber in his 60s suffered a suspected broken ankle when a boulder fell on his leg while ascending Dolmen Buttress on Glyder Fach in Snowdonia. He crawled for two hours on his hands and knees to the summit with assistance, then was stretchered down and evacuated by helicopter to hospital.

Outcome: evacuated by helicopter to Ysbyty Gwynedd Bangor for treatment

November 2022

5 incidents

Exmoor National Park / Chard

Missing Person Search South West

The team was conducting a monthly search and rescue exercise in Exmoor National Park when they were called out by Avon and Somerset Police to assist with a high-risk missing person search near Chard. Thirty team members deployed alongside colleagues from Avon & Somerset Search and Rescue, along with assistance from Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England.

fatal fall Snowdonia Serious incident

A walker departed from Pen-y-Pass hostel on Snowdon on Wednesday and was reported missing on Thursday morning. Mountain rescue teams and the coastguard helicopter located his body on Bristly Ridge, Glyder Fach, after he had fallen approximately 200 feet. The casualty was recovered and stretchered down the mountain.

Outcome: body recovered

Somerset Levels

Missing Person Search South West

While responding to a callout on Exmoor National Park, the team was diverted to assist with a high-risk missing person search in the Somerset Levels. The missing individual was eventually located safe and well by the combined teams.

Outcome: Person found safe

South West Coast Path

Injury/Medical Emergency South West

The team was deployed with other agencies to assist an injured walker along the South West Coast Path. The ambulance crew were able to evacuate the casualty while the team was on scene.

Outcome: Evacuated

October 2022

2 incidents

Street

Missing Person Search South West

The team was called out by Avon and Somerset Police to assist with a search operation. The search concerned a high-risk missing person located in Street.

Yeovil

Missing Person Search South West

The team was called out by Avon and Somerset Police to assist with a search operation. The search concerned a high-risk missing person located in Yeovil.