The rescue scene at Wooler Common. Photo: NNPMRT

Rescue teams in north-east England responded to four callouts in a week, following the easing of coronavirus lockdown.

Volunteers from Northumberland National Park and North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Teams were alerted when a young mountain biker suffered potentially serious injuries in the Wooler Common area of Northumberland national park.

A national park team spokesperson said: “While the members from the mountain rescue teams were placed on standby, local team members travelled to the scene.

“The community paramedic from Wooler arrived on scene and treated the casualty.

“Members of the North East Ambulance Hazardous Area Response Team also deployed, and together with mountain rescue volunteers stabilised the casualty before carrying him on a team stretcher to the edge of the wood.

“He was then evacuated using the Hart Polaris all-terrain vehicle to the nearest road.”

It was the second callout of the weekend for the teams, who had also deployed in search of a missing person in the Newcastle upon Tyne area on Friday night. Both teams had also been called out earlier in the week to help search for a young man missing from Gateshead.

Iain Nixon, Northumberland National Park team leader, said: “I think what this week’s deployments show is the versatility of both teams in being able to deploy for searches in urban areas and rescues on the hills and moors.

“We’ve seen an increase in callouts since lockdown ended and that is to be expected.

“We hope that the public continues to remember that when responding, our team members have to maintain social distancing and operate in [personal protective equipment], which at times can be hot and uncomfortable.

“We urge people to plan activities that are within their capabilities and to remember that there may be a delay in team members deploying.”