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Lake District Rescue by Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Team

The RAF Mountain Rescue Team based at RAF Leeming has successful carried out the evacuation of an injured hill walker from most treacherous slopes in the Lake District.

raf-leeming-mountain-rescue

The team was carrying out training near the famous Striding Edge when shouts and whistles alerted them that something was wrong. Team leader, Sergeant Ian Llewelyn, said: “We were only a couple of hundred metres away. It was really windy that day and the casualty had fallen off Striding Edge and landed in an awkward position on a boulder.”

Ian co-ordinated the rescue which involved assessing and treating the casualty as well as looking after his friends and ensuring that they left the mountain safely. It quickly became apparent that a helicopter was the best option for evacuation. Ian said: “We weren’t sure if a helicopter would be available so got ready to take him down on a stretcher – which would have taken hours. Luckily a helicopter was available.”

Striding-edge
Striding Edge trail up Helvellyn

Corporal Josh Hughes took responsibility for the injured man. He was also winched into the helicopter and monitored him en route to hospital – freeing up the paramedic to care for the patient of another incident which happened on the same afternoon.

“It was quite a complicated rescue because a lot of things were happening at the same time. It’s a good feeling to know what you have helped someone out on the hills. I think every member of the team should be proud of what they achieved.”

Team leader
Sergeant Ian Llewelyn

Although the team have not spoken directly with the casualty since the event, they have heard via social media that he is back home and doing well.