Storm-hit trees blocked the team's Land Rover's progress. Photo: Keswick MRT
Rescuers’ progress was halted by trees blown down by the Beast from the East in a Lake District forest.
Members of Keswick Mountain Rescue Team had to make their way on foot to an injured walker when they found their vehicle’s way blocked by several large trees at Thirlmere.
The team was alerted about 4.25pm on Friday after a 65-year-old woman injured her ankle while walking with a group at Smaithwaite Banks.
A team spokesperson said: “Although a grid reference had been supplied with the initial information, this did not tie up with the description of where the group were, so it was a few minutes before we could make contact to clarify the location.
“The team then responded but, as this was an area which had been hit by the winds in the Beast from the East storm, there were many trees down, and after a short way into the forest, the vehicles had to stop.
“From there on, it was on foot to the casualty site just below Raven Crag. The patient was then evacuated back to one of the team Sprinters, and then driven down to her husband’s car, so she could be taken to hospital.”
Sixteen Keswick MRT volunteers were involved in the rescue for almost 2½ hours.
Geoff
19 March 2018Please note this is not a reference to this specific casualty, but I think that a post-rescue donation should be encouraged to support MRT vehicle and kit purchases and maintenance.
My initial thought would be to multiply the number of volunteer rescuers by the time at a rate of, say, £20 per hour (a not unreasonable rate for the work). I know in this case that £800 may seem a large amount for a low-level rescue, but I would gladly pay that to be rescued from a high-level 'life or death' situation.
I would hope that most rescued folk at least donate as much as they can afford to.