Usway Burn, near Batailshiel Haugh

Incident Type: Rescue

On Sunday afternoon, ourselves and North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team responded to an urgent call for assistance after a young mountain biker fell approximately 20 metres into the Usway Burn in the Cheviot Hills.

A family had been mountain biking when the accident occurred in a steep, gorge-like section of the river valley. With no mobile phone coverage at the scene, a family member had to travel down the valley to find help. Fortunately, they encountered a local shepherd who assisted and helped raise the alarm with the North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (NEAS), who then activated both Mountain Rescue Teams.

Specialist Mountain Rescue resources were deployed from multiple locations, with personnel arriving at a forward rendezvous point near Batailshiel Haugh within an hour of activation. NEAS paramedics and Mountain Rescue personnel then made their way on foot to the casualty site, with the support of local shepherds transporting vital medical and rescue equipment on their quad bikes.

Given the isolated and difficult terrain, and potential injuries sustained, the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) was tasked. A landing site for the helicopter was identified while team members prepared for a complex evacuation.

The rescue involved a difficult stretcher carry along a rocky and narrow riverbank, followed by two river crossings before reaching a point where the terrain eased enough to return to dry land. The young casualty was stabilised on scene, carefully packaged onto a stretcher, and moved methodically along the challenging evacuation route.

Thanks to close coordination between NEAS, GNAAS, and our Mountain Rescue volunteers — supported by the local shepherds — the young mountain biker was safely transferred to the helicopter and flown to the hospital. All agencies worked seamlessly together, showing true professionalism and efficiency during the joint response.

Our teams would like to thank everyone involved in the rescue for their efforts, and we send our very best wishes to the family for a full and swift recovery.

The incident 22 Team members for 5 hours 20 minutes.