TWO WALKERS found themselves at the centre of a large emergency services response after becoming hypothermic in poor weather.
Oldham Mountain Rescue Team (OMRT) was called out to search for the pair, who had become lost near Saddleworth’s Dove Stone Reservoir, on the evening of Sunday, January 11.
Using PhoneFind technology, members were able to identify an area near the Ashway waterfalls and quickly deployed to begin the search in a four-hour operation involving 35 team members.
And on arrival, the two hikers were found uninjured but wet, cold, hypothermic and unable to continue because of the challenging conditions.
A clan tent was set up to provide shelter from the wind and horizontal rain and both were assessed by a Remote Rescue Medical Technician (RRMT).
OMRT provided dry clothing, winter casualty bags, heat pads, along with some food to help them recover.
However, because of their condition and location, assistance from a Coastguard helicopter was requested, along with support from the neighbouring Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team to assist with the evacuation of the two casualties by stretcher if the helicopter could not get to the location.
@ggc_media TWO WALKERS found themselves at the centre of a large emergency services response after becoming hypothermic in poor weather. Oldham Mountain Rescue Team (OMRT) was called out to search for the pair, who had become lost near Saddleworth’s Dove Stone Reservoir, on the evening of Sunday, January 11. Using PhoneFind technology, members were able to identify an area near the Ashway waterfalls and quickly deployed to begin the search in a four-hour operation involving 35 team members.
Despite several attempts, the aircraft was unable to get close enough to land because of the strong winds and visibility.
By now the casualties had been sheltered in the clan tent for over an hour and both walkers had begun to improve.
Following a further assessment by the RRMT, they were deemed fit to walk the one kilometre down the hill, where they were handed over to a waiting North West Ambulance Service crew.
A spokesperson for OMRT said: “Huge thanks to everyone involved for the excellent teamwork and swift response in very challenging conditions.”
Images and video courtesy of OMRT
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