Two Callouts in two days

Moffat MRT have been busy with two callouts in the past couple of days.

On Thursday 8th October 2026 at 16:23, the team was called out to assist the Scottish Ambulance Service with a mountain biker who had injured their shoulder high in the hills near Benpath, Langholm.

Team members met an ambulance paramedic at the roadhead while the police and team worked out the casualty’s exact location using the casualty’s what3words app. The team and paramedic then used our Land Rover and the ambulance response vehicle to reach the casualty, where pain relief was given.

The casualty was evacuated in the Land Rover and handed over to an ambulance crew at 19:46 for onward travel to hospital. Eleven team members attended.

The next day at 18:01, the team was called out to a walker with an injured ankle who had become disorientated in mist on Criffel.

Thanks to the what3words app, the casualty was able to give the Police an accurate location. Eight team members attended, with a hasty party heading up to reach them while others prepared a stretcher in case it was needed.

The hasty party assessed the casualty, provided warm clothing and heat packs, applied supportive bandaging and gave pain relief. They were then able to walk off the hill slowly with the rest of the team’s help. The casualty and team were all off the hill by 22:15.

We wish the casualties a speedy recovery.

The temperatures are dropping and sunset is coming earlier now, so we suggest adjusting what you carry for a day out on the hill:

🔦 A head torch (with spare batteries)
🧥 Warm layers, hat and gloves, even if it’s mild at the start as you cool down fast if you become stationary through injury
🌫️ Check the weather and cloud base before you set off, and be ready to turn back if conditions change
📍 Route plan with the OS Maps app, and it shows your current OS grid reference using your phone’s GPS.
📍 Alternatively consider using the what3words app.
📱 Keep your phone charged in case you need to call for help
👥 Tell someone your route and expected return time

For more information on planning a day out on the hill, click below for useful safety information