An injured climber has been airlifted to hospital after spending the night stuck on a Scots mountain with three pals. The party found themselves in difficulty on Coire nan Lochan in Glencoe but lost phone signal as they tried to phone police on 999 late on Thursday.
With fading light, the group decided to sit tight in cold and wet conditions before again contacting the emergency services in the morning. Volunteers from Glencoe Mountain Rescue were tasked to help the stricken climbers at around 6am on Friday.
The injured climber, who had suffered a lower leg injury, given pain relief at the scene before being taken to hospital by helicopter with the others taken down to safety.
A statement from the team said: “Police Scotland requested us to attend a location in Coire nan Lochan at just after 6 am, they had received a 999 call from there, however, the call dropped out before any details could be given.
“As team members arrived at the location it became apparent that a group of 4 walkers became benighted after one of them sustained a lower leg injury.
“Finding that they had no phone signal in the growing darkness they took the commendable decision to sit tight and wait for first light before attempting to summon help.
“Team medics were able to assess and splint the injury, providing pain relief before handing over care to Rescue 151 from Inverness who were able to land nearby and transport the casualty to hospital.
“Our volunteers then escorted the remainder of the party safely off the hill before heading for some much-needed breakfast, then on to the day jobs.”
Just hours later, the crew were called out again after another person suffered a ‘medical episode’ while attempting the Aonach Eagach ridge.
The climber and their partner were successfully escorted down to safety a short while later.
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