COASTGUARD TEAM AND HELICOPTER CARRY OUT REMOTE RAVINE RESCUE
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Thursday, August 07, 2008
Clyde Coastguard received a telephone call from one of the leaders of an outward bound activity centre reporting that one of the students had fallen down a ravine
The party of thirteen students and two leaders were exploring the creeks and gullies of the uninhabited island of Scarba after being landed there by boat as part of an organised trip.
Whilst there one of the students, a 13 year old boy slipped and fell into a small ravine which was difficult to access.
After receiving the call and information, Clyde Coastguard requested the scramble of a rescue helicopter. The Royal Navy helicopter R177 from Prestwick was scrambled and went to the remote island. Upon arriving on scene, the crew appraised the situation and decided that they would not be able to winch the boy out without further assistance.
Clyde Coastguard then called out the Oban and Appin Coastguard rescue teams. Six of the Coastguard rescue officers were then collected by helicopter from Oban with Coastguard rescue equipment. They were then taken to the Island, where they were then able to access the ravine and place the boy in a stretcher and move him to a position where a hi-line technique could be used to winch the boy to the aircraft.
The boy was then evacuated to Paisley Hospital by helicopter for further medical assessment and treatment for his injuries, which at this stage are believed to a suspected fracture to a leg.
The boys parents have been notified and are travelling to Scotland from Yorkshire.
Dan Sellers, Clyde Coastguard Watch Officer said:
This was a difficult extraction of the boy from the ravine due to the terrain. Our Coastguard rescue teams and the rescue helicopter crews are used to working closely together in such circumstances to endeavour to achieve the best possible outcome.
This was one such incident where both the crew of the aircraft and the Coastguard rescue officers should be praised for their professionalism.
The boy is now in the care of the medical professionals at Paisley Hospital.