R999 Winching from Casualty Site
At 1830 on 6 February 2016 Police Scotland contacted Moffat Mountain Rescue Team to
ask for assistance in locating a lady walker who had become separated from her walking
companion.
The two ladies had been walking the Annandale Way in the hills above the Devil’s Beeftub
area near Moffat. One of the two ladies contacted the Police after having to leave her partner
on the hill as she could not walk any further with a hip injury.
A search of the area by the Police helicopter failed to locate the missing person as the team
were gathering at Moffat Mountain Rescue Base. The team deployed onto the hill and
conducted a search in the area.
Team Vehicles at Devils Beef Tub
At 2300 the team located the missing person who was unable to walk due to a hip injury and
hypothermia. The team made the casualty as comfortable as possible, while starting to
prepare equipment for what was going to be a protracted carry out over rough terrain.
Fortunately at 0000 Rescue 999, the new coastguard helicopter became available to
assist.The helicopter was able to winch the lady from the casualty site and evacuate her to
Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, leaving the team to walk off the hill.
The team was back at base and stood down at 0200.
Team Searching
Moffat Mountain Rescue Team Leader, Colin Golphin said, “The team carried out a search in
the dark on a cold night. The team found the casualty as quickly as possible and was
grateful for the assistance of Rescue 999 to save the team a long carry out on the ground”.
Charity Challenge
Every year Moffat Mountain Rescue Team holds its annual charity walk in the hills around
the team’s area of operation. There are 4 walks of varying difficulty to meet the needs of all
comers. This years challenge is being held in the Durisdeer Hills on the 12 June. More
information can be found on the team charity challenge page.
