A seasoned climber had to be airlifted to hospital after tearing his knee open “to the bone” in a horror fall on a popular Cairngorms National Park trail.
After slipping, Stuart, who had been hiking over Christmas with his son Cameron and their dog Oakley on the Kilbo Path in the Cairngorms National Park in Angus, had to be airlifted by the Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA). The accident happened despite Stuart having all of the correct equipment for tis time of year, including extra thermals and survival bags.
His son said: “We called the emergency services, layered on more clothing, and hunkered down in our survival bags. My dog Oakley snuggled in beside us, and I protected him from the wind with our rucksacks.”
The SCAA managed to land nearby and reach the group sharply in 20 minutes after leaving its base in Perth. The crew set up their extreme weather kit, including a bothy for shelter, heat pads and thermal blankets upon realising Stuart was already hypothermic.
Once it was safe to do so and out of the cold, the emergency aiders started treatment on Cameron’s injury before flying everyone to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee in just 12 minutes. This was shared as part of SCAA’s 11th winter appeal.
Based at Perth and Aberdeen, the charity operates two helicopters that have flown to Scotland’s islands when high seas have cancelled ferries, stranded walkers, remote communities cut off by fallen trees and serious accidents on rural roads.
SCAA’s director of development and engagement Criona Knight said: “People die in Scotland because help can’t reach them in time, and that is never truer than when road and ferry access is compromised during severe winter weather conditions.
“For many, a helicopter such as SCAA is their best chance of survival – the speedy delivery of highly qualified clinicians with life-saving drugs and equipment and a rapid airlift to critical hospital care – all in a matter of minutes.
“Storm Bert at the weekend showed how quickly communities can be cut off and when people take ill or are involved in an accident, the options for getting emergency responders to them are reduced.
“Our helicopter pilots are trained to navigate and land in driving rain, snow, high winds, low cloud and plummeting temperatures. Those same weather conditions can be fatal for someone who’s critically ill or injured – especially if they’re unable to move and exposed to freezing temperatures.
“SCAA can bypass ground challenges and get there in time to save lives this winter, but as a charity, we rely on the understanding and support of the public to fuel our flights.
“No one should die because help can’t reach them in time and SCAA’s ambition is to answer every call out this winter and get here in time to make a difference.”
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletter here.