MMRT assist two helicopters for multiply-injured walker at GMT

At 10:30 on 14th January 2023 Moffat MRT received a call from Police Scotland requesting the assistance of the team in the rescue of an injured person in Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall near Moffat.

The original call was made to the Scottish Ambulance Service who mobilised HM Coastguard Rescue 199 and Helimed Trauma Team helicopters to the location, as well as contacting Police Scotland. Given the complex terrain, the local Fire and Rescue Service was also asked to respond in order to help Moffat MRT place the teams specialist bridge and assist in the extraction of the casualty if the helicopter teams were unable to do so.

Some members of Moffat MRT were already at the base preparing for probationer training so were able to respond quickly to the location.
Helimed arrived on location first, passing on a grid reference of the casualty location to MMRT who were then able to make their way to that location. Helimed then landed nearby.

A winchperson from Rescue 199 extracted the casualty from the water to a safe location on the path, then joined by members of MMRT to assess the casualty.

The casualty had sustained multiple injuries following a significant fall into the upper section of the waterfall. Pain relief was administered and the casualty was packaged in a vacuum mattress, casualty bag and stretcher before being winched to Rescue 199 with members of Moffat MRT tending to the Hi-line to stabilise the stretcher during the winch. The casualty was then conveyed to a major trauma centre for further care.

Helimed were stood down as the injuries sustained did not require their involvement, as were Fire and Rescue as Rescue 199 was able to safely complete the extraction. Strathclyde Police MRT arrived on scene but were also stood down.

The casualty’s rucksack remained in the water therefore Moffat MRT set up a technical rigging system and retrieved the rucksack before returning to base.

With gusts of wind up to 40mph all teams involved had a challenging day on the hill before being stood down at 14:30.

The quickest way to get help on the hills if you need it is to dial 999, ask first for POLICE, then MOUNTAIN RESCUE.

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