Incident report

Buxton Mountain Rescue Team called mid-evening to assist West Midlands Ambulance Service dealing with a fallen climber on Hen Cloud, Staffordshire.  An event hampered by heavy rain and the onset of darkness.

A lady climber, local to Buxton, had fallen and sustained a potential fracture of an ankle when she landed on a rocky ledge, about three metres above ground.  First aid was given by West Midlands Ambulance staff (one of which happened to be a member of Cheshire A.L.S.A.R.) and a Buxton team doctor.  The lady was then strapped into a specially designed rescue harness whilst she was gently lowered from the ledge to ground level.   Following further examination the casualty was then placed onto a rescue stretcher to be lowered back down the steep hillside to where the ambulance was waiting.

Her friends in the local climbing club were of great help during the incident and later at hospital.  The casualty was released in the early hours with a plaster cast and crutches.

Photo:  Top:   Awkward  access to the casualty site indicated by the uppermost team members.   Lower:   Nearly midnight but there’s plenty of wet kit to be sorted out at base.