Keswick MRT Gets New Ambulance

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team has upgraded its wheels with the arrival of a new custom-built Mercedes-Benz all-wheel-drive Sprinter van designed to work as an ambulance/personnel carrier.


The specially-equipped 9-seater van was supplied to the team by Carlisle dealer Ciceley Commercials and cost almost £60,000 and replaces a 12 year-old vehicle that was becoming uneconomical to run. It's one of three vehicles run by the team giving them the ability to send an ambulance and accompanying transport to one incident while still having a back-up in case of another emergency.

The Medium-bodied Sprinter 315CDI has glass windows all round, is powered by a 150bhp, 2.2-litre common-rail diesel engine and a 4x4 transmission that can be engaged at the touch of a button. It also has a special lower-ratio back axle and a custom combination of all-terrain tyres to suit its unique requirements.


The van is rear wheel drive under normal conditions, but can switch to all-wheel-drive for off-road situations where a sophisticated electronic traction system works to prevent wheelspin rather than relying on traditional mechanically operated differential locks.

On top of the mechanical modifications, the van was equipped to ambulance specification by specialist converter Alan Smallwood, of Barnoldswick, Lancashire. It can accommodate a Bell Thomas stretcher as well as nine seats with three-point belts. The vehicle also has a towbar, so a boat can be towed to incidents in rivers or lakes.

Finally a comprehensive communications package was added by JY Auto Electrics, of Rossendale,  including a Clark extending radio mast and GPS tracking, and additional lighting.

The team is understandably chuffed with its new acquisition with Mick Guy, who chaired the rescue team’s vehicle replacement group commenting: “We need 100 per cent reliability from our vehicles and are convinced this is what we’ll get from our new Sprinter.”

More about the team at www.keswickmrt.org.uk