Hareshaw Linn

Incident Type: Rescue

Our second rescue in two days saw ourselves and North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team called by Northumbria Police to assist a female casualty who had fallen at Hareshaw Linn, near Bellingham, after experiencing a medical issue.

The casualty was reported to be conscious and immobile due to the injuries they sustained in their fall. Due to complex nature of the terrain and the casualty’s condition, both teams were immediately mobilised. The teams are well versed in rescues at Hareshaw Linn, having a good deal of time training and responding to incidents in the area.

Thanks to fast, joined-up working with paramedics from the North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and the presence of team members with relevant medical expertise, the casualty was treated at the scene and safely packaged in a vacuum mattress and on a stretcher. Our steep slope rescue system, previously rehearsed at this known hotspot, was quickly deployed.

With careful teamwork, the stretcher was carried along the narrow path, over the bridge and up the steep slope before being wheeled to the waiting ambulance for a swift hand over at 16.45hrs.

A big thank you to all involved, including the NEAS paramedics and team members who brought compassion, care, and calm professionalism to a complex rescue.

The incident involved 20 Team members for 4 hours 48 minutes.