Lancashire moors copter rescue of seriously injured walker 'like from a film'

The 22-year-old man was airlifted from the accident spot at night in difficult weather conditions and taken to hospital.

Bolton Mountain Rescue Team, which was scrambled to the Winter Hill area on Rivington Moor following a request for assistance by North West Ambulance, described the rescue.

“A 22-year-old male had sustained an ankle injury whilst out walking and due to the severity of the injury he was unable to walk.

“He was very well prepared for the conditions, with appropriate equipment - torch, whistle, warm waterproofs - and was able to communicate his position as being between Rivington Pike and the Winter Hill TV transmission tower.

“Whilst his exact location was determined, BMRT crews who had been providing first aid cover on the earlier Anglezarke Amble fell race, made their way to the area known as Crooked Edge Clough.

“They were soon joined by further responding team members and vehicles who met on the Winter Hill mast road.

“When team members met with the casualty it was clear that, given his location and injury, a long stretcher carry through very wet peat bog and a number of stream crossings in the height of winter would be very difficult for team members and also painful for the casualty.

“Accordingly, we requested the assistance of a HM Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter from Caernarfon, North Wales.

“Whilst awaiting the arrival of the aircraft we administered pain relief medication and kept the casualty protected from the wind and rain which was by then starting to come down with some force.

“The aircraft arrived on scene at around 20:07. Conditions were unsuitable for winching and the aircraft could not land because of the very boggy ground. “Accordingly, the casualty was “hot-loaded” (loaded while the rotors held it just at the point of landing) into the aircraft.

“The casualty was transferred via the aircraft to a waiting NWAS ambulance on the Winter Hill mast road and then subsequently taken to Royal Bolton Hospital for further treatment.”

The rescue was praised by folk commenting on BMRT’s Facebook page.

One person said: “Wow, it sounds like the plot from a film! Well done to everybody involved, you’re incredible! I hope the casualty makes a good recovery.”

To watch the video of the helicopter rescue search ‘Bolton Mountain Rescue Team’ on Facebook