Busy Weekend For Scottish Rescue Teams

BBC news is carrying the story of a dramatic rescue in the Cairngorms at the weekend, complete with a striking night vision image of the climber in question waving to his rescuers.


The 25-year-old climber fell approximately 70 metres on a route near the Shelter Stone and was left dangling from a rope. According to the BBC, his climbing partner managed to reach him and dig a bucket seat to support him before going for help, raising the alarm at around 2100 GMT.

The injured man was airlifted off by an RAF helicopter and taken to hospital with 'erious leg and spinal injuries'.

STV reports that rescuers hailed the man's companion as 'a hero', saying that he'd abseiled down into the gully where the accident took place in the dark to dig a snow shelter and secure his friend who'd fallen while leading , just ten metres from the top of the route.

The site quotes Willie Anderson, leader of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, as saying:  "The faller had suffered a serious hip injury and his friend did all he could to make him safe. He created a big ledge in the deep snow and also dressed him in extra clothing to keep in warm. His actions prevented his mate from death."

In other incidents in the area, three climbers from Essex were air-lifted to safety after getting into difficulties on a climb and two men, who'd become lost neat Kingussie were located and again choppered out.,

Finally Glencoe mountain rescue team went to the aid of a climber with an injured shoulder on the classic Aonach Eagach ridge, who was again airlifted off, this time by Stornoway coastguard helicopter.