Cheviots walker in need of medical care helped to safety by mountain rescue teams

Northumbria Police requested assistance from mountain rescue teams at 6.20pm on April 4 to find the lone walker who was struggling to get down from The Cheviot and required medical care.

The North East Ambulance Service also attended.

Initial information indicated the walker was between The Cheviot and Scald Hill so members of the Northumberland National Park and North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Teams were mobilised to the Harthope Valley.

Meanwhile, two teams were deployed onto the hill, one from Langleeford Hope heading up towards The Cheviot and one from the Hawsen Burn heading up Scald Hill.

At 7.50pm the casualty was located just below the summit of Scald Hill.

They were assessed by a team medic before being walked slowly off the hill to one of the team’s vehicles for a short journey down to the valley and a waiting ambulance.

Iain Nixon, NNPMRT team leader, said: “Once again, another great example of multi-agency teamwork. The gentleman did the right thing when he became unwell and called for help.

"We were able to get our volunteers onto the hill very quickly to help him.”

They are keen to remind hill-goers to have appropriate equipment and experience when venturing out this week.

“With bitterly cold northerly winds and snow forecast, people must make sure that they have the right kit; if you think you’re prepared, imagine what it would be like sitting with a broken ankle with a windchill of -8C for over an hour wearing just what you have in your bag, would you survive?” Iain said.

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