TEESDALE’S rescue team have been kept busy during the Christmas period.
On December 28, the Forestry Commission was alerted to a man who had slipped and injured his ankle walking in Hamsterley Forest.
The volunteers from Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team were called to help the ambulance service.
Scott Bisset, spokesman for the rescue team, said: “The team located and extracted the man and took him to
the visitor centre where he was met by relatives, who decided that they would take him to hospital to get checked out.”
Two days later the team was again called to help a man who had fallen while walking with his wife and dog on the fells above Stanhope, in Weardale, and had suffered a significant lower leg injury.
Mr Bisset said: “The casualty was over a mile from the nearest road so rescuers were grateful to a gamekeeper who unlocked a gate allowing the team’s Land Rover, along with an off-road vehicle, to get to the location.”
The injured man, who had travelled from the Washington area, was treated by the team’s doctor and then transported down to the road, where he was put in a waiting ambulance.”
It was later discovered the man had fractured his fibula and is now awaiting surgery.
During this rescue, the team was contacted by police who asked if they could also prepare to search for a missing child near Derwent Reservoir. However, the child was located before the team deployed.
Mr Bisset said: “Mountain rescue teams all over the country are being stretched by the amount of people out walking and advise anyone who is planning on walking in the countryside to be properly prepared, check the weather forecast, have the correct attire and plan your walk.
“Please carry extra clothing, food and drink, carry a torch and ensure your phone is fully charged.
“Also, have an app on your phone which will help you to know where you are and allow emergency services to locate you, such as OS Locate, View Ranger and what3words. If in doubt, stay at home.”
