Ben Nevis Walker Rescued From 'Certain Death' in Storm Abigail

© Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team

As storm force winds lashed northern Scotland yesterday in Britain's first named storm, Abigail, Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team were out saving a walker who'd set off up Ben Nevis despite the dire weather forecast.

Rescue underway in storm 'Abigail'  © Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team
Rescue underway in storm 'Abigail'
© Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team

'Troops have just returned from the eye of hurricane ‪#‎abigail‬ rescuing a hill walker attempting Ben Nevis‬ via Observatory Gully' they wrote on the team's Facebook page.

'On the scale of difficulty this route is certain death!'

'The casualty was found high on a snow slope with chest injuries and lowered down to the ‎CIC‬ Hut. Here he was properly checked over and then taken down the rest of the way... A very difficult rescue in atrocious weather with a very good outcome.'

Spotting the opportunity to publicise their need for greater support, they went on:

'The ‎volunteers‬ go out in these conditions without hesitation. Leaving family and loved ones behind. Radios are poor and insurance is completely inadequate.'

'We find ourselves in the situation where police officers on police rescue teams are better insured then civilians doing the same task. We think this is just wrong . Let's start with parity at least with police.'

' Let's have some support ‪#‎scottishgovernment‬ ‪#‎policescotland‬ ‪#‎SMR‬ please! Our team members and families should at least have insurance that is fit for purpose.'

 


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13 Nov, 2015
"Insurance is completely inadequate" Would be interested to hear more about this... Is the issue that if a volunteer was injured in a rescue there would be nothing in place to cover loss of earnings etc? Whereas there is some kind of high quality compensation paid to a Police officer who is injured in the course of their job and can no longer work?
13 Nov, 2015
I'd also be interested to hear more on this matter. I don't have any experience in the matter of insurance at all, so I'm merely writing from the inquisitive mind of a student. Comparing the Police Rescue Teams to the Civilian Rescue Teams; What insurance is in place at present, if any? The people on Civilian Rescue Teams are volunteers who give up their free time at a moments notice and risk their own safety. Considering that they are doing the same job as a Police Rescue Team, therefore why is it the case that there is "completely inadequate" insurance?
13 Nov, 2015
Why don't you email the team secretary? I'm sure he'll enlighten you to how little cover is provided for each potential accident outcome? You'll be shocked...
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