A Dumfries woman has offered her grateful thanks to Moffat Mountain Rescue Team who came to her aid in Ae Forest on Saturday.
Mountain biker Allison Morford, who sustained a lower limb injury in her accident, has also praised the dedication and skills of the staff at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, where she was treated.
On a post for the team, she said: “I was very relieved to see the blue lights of the ambulance appear up the Ae Valley and to see your team.
“I can’t thank you enough for your time, expertise and professional manner stabilising my leg, giving pain relief and getting me off the hill down to the waiting ambulance.
“The hot packs and warm sleeping bag were bliss after a long lie. You do a great service to our community. Thank you very much.”
Recovering from her ordeal and grateful for the well wishes she has received, Allison said that she had “thankfully never been a casualty until Saturday” and has, herself, done several mountain first aid courses over the years.
She also revealed that remote location of the cycling accident meant a phone signal was absent and a quick-thinking “wonderful friend” had to bike to find a better reception area to raise the alarm.
Police Scotland asked for the assistance of the rescue team at 12.26pm and 12 of its trained volunteers responded to the call-out, carrying equipment including a stretcher and wheel to the location ready for removing the casualty.
Her injuries were assessed and treated by Scottish Ambulance Service paramedics and one of MMRT’s team doctors, paramedic and remote rescue medical technicians.
A spokesperson for MMRT, who wish her well in her recovery, said: “The casualty was provided with heat pads and environmental protection, then using the pain relief from the Scottish Ambulance Service the lower limb injury was aligned and immobilised in a vacuum splint by the team.
“The casualty was then packaged into a casualty bag and stretcher before being carried from the hillside with the aid of a back rope to a waiting ambulance crew for ongoing treatment and further assessment at hospital.”
Allison added: “A&E at DGRI was also wonderful and I am recovering well in orthopaedics following tibial nailing for a tib/ fib fracture.
“Thank you to my amazing work colleagues and
team. Thanks, too, to all who have sent get well messages.”