Northumbria Police received a 999 call on Thursday afternoon from two walkers in the Simonside area requesting Mountain Rescue’s assistance. The female had sustained a lower leg injury whilst descending from Dove Crag towards the forest track which leads to Joe’s Wood and back down to the main car park. Despite their best endeavours they were unable to proceed and did the right thing by requesting Mountain Rescue.
North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team and ourselves swiftly responded, deploying our Toyota Hilux from Rothbury with two volunteer members while a third member travelled direct to the incident. A PhoneFind location and a conversation with the walkers confirmed they were very close to a rough drive-able track. Whilst waiting for an update from the scene, other Team members were put on standby in case additional resources were required and were then deployed as a short stretcher carry was likely.
Following an initial assessment, the casualty’s injury was stabilised before they were placed on a stretcher. The Team members on scene were then able to carry the casualty the 100 metres to the vehicle. The casualty and their partner were then transported back to the main car park.
A North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Community Paramedic from Rothbury conducted a further examination at the car park before the casualty was transferred to a crewed Ambulance for the onward journey to hospital.
We wish the casualty well and hope that they are back out enjoying the Northumberland National Park very soon.
The incident involved 6 members for 2 hours 40 minutes. A further 11 members deployed but they were stood down within 25 minutes.