Incident reports
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February 2023
6 incidents mountain bike accident with suspected spinal injury Brecon Beacons Serious incident
A mountain biker suffered a suspected broken neck while riding at Bike Park Wales near Merthyr Tydfil on Sunday, 12 February 2023. Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team assisted paramedics with careful extraction and stabilisation before the casualty was transferred to hospital.
Outcome: casualty extracted and transferred to hospital by ambulance
false alarm / welfare check Peak District
Oldham Mountain Rescue Team responded to reports of shouts heard near Dovestone Reservoir on 10 February, locating a group of young men who admitted to shouting but meant no harm. The team also assisted with evacuating a young woman injured in a horse-riding fall on 17 February.
Outcome: group located and escorted down safely; no injuries found
member of public in trouble Peak District
A member of the public required rescue at Dovestone following an incident in the area. Greater Manchester Police Air Support Unit, Saddleworth & Lees neighbourhood team, and Oldham Mountain Rescue worked together to assist. The casualty was recovered safely.
Outcome: casualty rescued safely and reported well
broken ankle Northern Ireland
A photographer from Fermanagh broke his ankle while descending Slieve Donard in the Mourne mountains on 9 February 2023. After initially attempting to descend unaided in severe conditions, he was airlifted by Coast Guard helicopter to hospital where he received treatment and was discharged with a plaster cast.
Outcome: airlifted by Coast Guard helicopter to hospital, treated and discharged with plaster cast
Fall/Accident Highlands Serious incident
A hillwalker sadly passed away after falling from near the summit of Ben Cruachan last week. Mountain rescue teams and Police Scotland responded to the incident on February 7th, with personnel eventually reaching the casualty's location.
Outcome: Fatality
climber fall Snowdonia Serious incident
A climber died after falling from Gribin Ridge in Snowdonia when a handhold broke away during a climb with two companions on Saturday. Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation and a coastguard helicopter attended the scene, and recovery continued until Sunday lunchtime.
Outcome: fatality
January 2023
7 incidents missing person Highlands Serious incident
A 42-year-old man from Peterborough went missing on 27 January 2023 whilst attempting to climb Ben Nevis in Scotland. His car was found at a layby in Glen Nevis three days later, and multiple mountain rescue teams, including dog handlers, conducted searches in difficult weather conditions with high winds and heavy rain.
hypothermic runners Southern Uplands
Two runners competing in the Spine Race ultramarathon were rescued from Auchope refuge hut near Cheviot summit after being caught in overnight snow showers and high winds. Both competitors were assessed by race medics and were able to walk to vehicles for transport. Mountain rescue teams from Northumberland and Scottish Borders coordinated the response, with all personnel safely evacuated.
Outcome: both runners walked to waiting Land Rover and were transported to Kirk Yetholm
Mountain Rescue/Accident Highlands Serious incident
The team responded to numerous callouts throughout 2022, with a significant number occurring on Ben Nevis. Notable incidents included an eight-hour rescue following a fall from the mountain and another involving an avalanche that resulted in serious injuries.
Outcome: Multiple rescues, including fatalities and severe injuries.
avalanche Highlands Serious incident
A Bristol teacher was killed in an avalanche on Ben Nevis. The incident occurred on or shortly before the publication date of 5 January 2023.
Outcome: fatality
missing persons / water rescue Brecon Beacons Serious incident
Two women entered the water at Ystradfellte Falls in Brecon Beacons National Park on 4 January 2023. One body was recovered on Thursday and a second body was found in the river near Glynneath on Sunday after a four-day search involving mountain rescue, fire services and air support.
Outcome: two bodies recovered
inadequately equipped walkers lost and hypothermic on summit Highlands Serious incident
Two English walkers were rescued from the summit of Ben Nevis after becoming lost, wet and cold whilst wearing inadequate clothing including jeans and trainers. Three other hillwalkers found them on the plateau and provided warm clothing and assistance before the rescue team met them lower down; both casualties were mildly hypothermic but uninjured.
Outcome: rescued by other hillwalkers and Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, descended safely with mildly hypothermic casualties warmed up
dog trapped in mine shaft Brecon Beacons
A brown cocker spaniel fell into an old mine shaft near Varteg, Pontypool on 26 December 2023, along with another dog. Despite extensive efforts by emergency services and the local community, including the use of a digger, the dog was not located; one dog was successfully recovered.
Outcome: dog not located despite rescue efforts; one dog recovered
December 2022
11 incidents seriously injured mountain biker Northern Ireland Serious incident
A mountain biker sustained serious injuries on a trail in Ballyedmund Forest, Rostrevor on 30 December 2022. Mourne Mountain Rescue volunteers, the Air Ambulance, and emergency services responded, stretching the casualty off the hillside and airlifting them to hospital in a four-hour operation involving 18 team members.
Outcome: casualty evacuated by stretcher and airlifted to hospital by Air Ambulance
avalanche Highlands Serious incident
An avalanche on Ben Nevis on 30 December resulted in the death of a 48-year-old climber and serious injury to a 40-year-old man who slid approximately 600 metres down the mountain. The injured casualty was evacuated by helicopter to Belford Hospital after an eight-hour extrication operation in challenging weather conditions.
Outcome: one fatality; one casualty evacuated by helicopter to hospital with serious injuries
poorly equipped walkers in severe winter conditions Highlands
A couple poorly equipped with trainers and no head torch were rescued from Ben Nevis in heavy snow and freezing temperatures on 29 December 2022. Two other hikers discovered them and assisted them partway down before Lochaber Mountain Rescue and Coastguard helicopter airlifted them to safety. The rescue highlighted the dangers of inadequate preparation for winter mountain conditions.
Outcome: airlifted to safety by Coastguard helicopter
Missing Person Search South West
The team was called out by Avon and Somerset Police to assist with a high-risk missing person search on the edge of Exmoor National Park in West Somerset. The missing person was located with assistance from members of the public and subsequently transferred for assessment before being airlifted to hospital.
Outcome: Found and transported to hospital
crag-fast walkers Snowdonia Serious incident
Four walkers became cragfast on the East Face of Tryfan after losing the route on the North Ridge in failing light. Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue dispatched a team who roped and lowered each man to safer ground, then walked them off the mountain. All four were uninjured and safely returned to their vehicle.
Outcome: rescued by rope work and walked off mountain uninjured
missing person Highlands Serious incident
A 43-year-old man reported missing from the Carlisle area, believed to have travelled to Caithness on Christmas Day, was searched for by mountain rescue teams after his car was found abandoned near Dunnet Head. Multiple rescue agencies including Assynt Mountain Rescue Team, police, coastguard, lifeboat services and a helicopter conducted an extensive search of the Highlands coastline, but he was not located.
Outcome: not traced despite extensive search
man fallen into water Peak District
A man became separated from companions whilst walking at Dovestones Reservoir on Christmas Day and fell into Chew Brook. He was located by police helicopter and ground officers, then assisted by Oldham Mountain Rescue Team volunteers who helped him to safety. He was assessed and transferred to hospital for further checks.
Outcome: casualty escorted to safety, assessed, and handed over to ambulance service for hospital transport
Missing Person Search South West
The team assisted Devon & Cornwall Police with searches for a high-risk missing person in North Devon across two callouts around Christmas. Despite extensive efforts involving multiple agencies and search dogs, both searches were ultimately inconclusive.
Outcome: Inconclusive
lost hikers Peak District
Three hikers became lost in the hills and were rescued by Oldham Mountain Rescue Team. The team successfully located and brought the casualties to safety.
Outcome: three hikers rescued
injured hiker Highlands
A hiker sustained a lower leg injury on the plateau section of Ben Lomond on the evening of Friday, 16 December and was unable to walk. Lomond Mountain Rescue Team responded and evacuated the casualty by stretcher in challenging snowy conditions to a waiting ambulance.
Outcome: evacuated by stretcher to ambulance
Animal Rescue Lake District
Rescuers were called out to assist with two sheep that had become trapped above Littletown. After initial attempts failed, the team secured the animals using spikes driven into the ground and eventually managed to bring one down safely.
Outcome: Both sheep were successfully rescued.