Heroes at work as Peak District mountain rescue teams brave the snow to help others

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Heroes at work as Peak District mountain rescue teams brave the snow to help others

On Friday March, 10 there were nine call-outs for Buxton Mountain Rescue Team, MRT, starting at 1.30am.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A spokesperson for Buxton MRT said: “What a busy day that was.

“The first call was received at 1.30am and the last team members stood down at 5.30pm.”

Buxton Mountain rescue team walking through the cleared snow drift. Pic submittedBuxton Mountain rescue team walking through the cleared snow drift. Pic submitted
Buxton Mountain rescue team walking through the cleared snow drift. Pic submitted

Throughout the weekend BMRT assisted Peak 4x4 Response after motorists got stuck in 7ft snow drifts.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

One touching rescue was when the MRT had to extract a toddler from a vehicle stuck in the snow.

A Peak 4x4 Response spokesperson said: “Temperatures were below freezing with a bitter wind-chill factor causing blizzard like conditions.

“Like us, Buxton Mountain Rescue Team are volunteers doing our bit to help the communities we live in.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Edale Mountain Resuce team carrying a patient on a stretcher. Pic submittedEdale Mountain Resuce team carrying a patient on a stretcher. Pic submitted
Edale Mountain Resuce team carrying a patient on a stretcher. Pic submitted

“Multiple accidents were caused by unnecessary speeds, one being witnessed that ended up through a wall after taking a sign out. Luckily the occupants were ok, but it could of easily ended up differently.

“I hope our responders are proud of themselves knowing they have also saved a few lives. It really was that dangerous out there.”

The Edale Mountain Rescue Team were just as busy in the bad weather.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

At almost 9.30pm on Friday night they were called to help Yorkshire Ambulance Service with a seriously ill patient.

Buxton Mountain Rescue Team digging out a car over the weekend. Pic submittedBuxton Mountain Rescue Team digging out a car over the weekend. Pic submitted
Buxton Mountain Rescue Team digging out a car over the weekend. Pic submitted

An Edale MRT spokesperson said: “The ambulance crew could not evacuate the patient due to deep snow, so we were requested to assist with the evacuation to the ambulance.

“Team members and two vehicles made their way to the Frechville area of Sheffield where they conveyed the patient to the ambulance.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On Saturday March, 11 EMRT were called out at 2.30pm along with the East Midlands Ambulance Service and Helimed 54, Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance, to assist a fallen boulderer near Stanage plantation.

A spokesperson said: “The boulderer had sustained an open lower leg fracture after falling from a tricky move.

Edale Mountain Rescue Team on a call out over the weekend. Pic submittedEdale Mountain Rescue Team on a call out over the weekend. Pic submitted
Edale Mountain Rescue Team on a call out over the weekend. Pic submitted

“The air ambulance team were first on scene and treated the very nasty injury, managing to get it into a splint and reduced.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Unfortunately, due to the weather conditions the land ambulance was unable to get near to Stanage edge.

“The weather deteriorated significantly with poor visibility and snow, so the helicopter had to depart and head back to its base.”

The team sledged the patient down from the edge to the road at the plantation car park, where they were transferred to a 4x4 vehicle for transport down to the waiting ambulance in Hathersage.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

All of the mountain rescue teams in the Peak District are volunteers and receive no government funding and are on call 24 hours a day every day of the year including in horrendous weather like we had last weekend with the wintery blast.

All money has to be raised by the community so if you can support them donations can be made at either buxtonmountainrescue.org.uk/ or edalemrt.co.uk/ or kmrt.org.uk.

The Buxton spokesperson added: “We’d like to thank everybody we worked alongside, farmers who helped clear snowbound lanes so we could access a casualty.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our colleagues from other emergency services, and of course, our dedicated team members, who give their time for free, without question and judgement. We thank you.”

"In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together." – Phil Bramley, editor.