Mountain rescuers at the scene as the RAF Sea King approaches. Photo: Northumberland National Park MRT

Three mountain rescue teams worked with an RAF Sea King helicopter for perhaps the last time when a motorcyclist was injured at a remote site near the Scottish border.

Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team and the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team were alerted by North East Ambulance Service after the 22-year-old fell from her bike near Kirknewton in the Northumberland national park.

Andrew Jenkins of the Northumberland National Park team said: “Due to her location, close to the border with Scotland, further assistance was requested from a third mountain rescue team, the Border Search and Rescue Unit.

“Having been assessed and treated by the ambulance service’s community paramedic, the mountain rescue personnel involved decided that due to the pain the casualty was in and the rough terrain, a helicopter evacuation would be the best course of action.

“A Sea King helicopter from RAF Boulmer was requested and was immediately deployed. Luckily the helicopter was heading back to base from the Lake District and arrived within 10 minutes of the request.

“The Sea King flew the casualty to hospital in Melrose, where the casualty was treated for a fractured tibia and fibula.

“This was potentially the last time the mountain rescue teams will work with the aircraft operationally as the Sea King is being retired at the end of this month. When the Sea King is retired, search and rescue air support will be provided by the civilian contractor Bristow based at Prestwick Airport and Hull.”