Dove Crag, Simonside

The North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust activated North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team and ourselves on Saturday afternoon for a female who had fallen 2-3 metres while bouldering at Dove Crag above Simonside Forest. The female landed awkwardly and sustained a potentially serious lower leg injury.

Our response vehicle from Rothbury was swiftly deployed initially to Lordenshaws as there was some uncertainty over the exact location. Two Team members and the NEAS Community First Responder were then deployed onto the hill towards the incident site. One of the informants who had been climbing with the injured party met our members and confirmed the location as being Dove Crag.

Both Teams were then called out and 4x4 vehicles were used to transport members up through the forest to an access point just below the casualty’s location.

The female was treated and stabilised initially by a Mountain Rescue Casualty Carer before two Team Paramedics and a Doctor arrived on scene. Due to the casualty’s condition, the Great North Air Ambulance Service was requested. Whilst aircraft was flying to the scene, members stretched the casualty to the top of the crag ready for its arrival.

At 17.45hrs GNAAS landed on and medical care was handed over to the critical care team from the aircraft. Further treatment was provided above Dove Crag before the casualty was stretchered a short distance to the aircraft for the onward flight to hospital.

The site was then cleared before Team members and the casualty’s climbing companions walked down to the Team vehicles.

We would like to thank the climber’s companions and three other members of public who cared for the casualty until our arrival. They all did a fantastic job. We also very grateful as ever to the Great North Air Ambulance Service for their tremendous support. We wish the casualty well for a full and swift recovery.

The incident involved 21 Team members for 5 hours 20 minutes.