Tag: Harthope Valley

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Incident No: 15 2019

Date: 2 March 2019
Time: 19.44hrs
Location: Harthope Valley near Wooler

Two walkers and their dog reported themselves ‘lost’ in The Cheviots whilst trying to walk back to their vehicle which was parked in the Harthope valley. They had been ‘lost’ for some time. #PhoneFind was used to try to locate the walkers and our Duty Controller rang the walkers but unfortunately by this time they’d moved location and were out of mobile reception.

North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team and ourselves swiftly deployed a hasty team of four members and a Mountain Rescue search dog. A blue light response vehicle with a further two members was also mobilised.

Thankfully with relatively clear skies the walkers had managed to find their way down to a track near Langleeford Farm where they were located by Northumbria Police officers as the hasty team arrived at the RVP.

The walkers had struggled to find their way off the hill as unfortunately they had no torches. While we will always turn out for those in need, this particular incident was avoidable. Could we ask our followers, however, not to criticise the walkers as this could have happened to the most experienced of us and we hope that the walkers have learnt from their experience.

Please can we remind all walkers to go well equipped for the conditions and particularly during the winter months to carry a torch and a spare one too.

The incident involved 9 Team members for 1 hour 15 minutes. A further 9 members were on standby throughout.

#planahead #goprepared #takeatorch #staysafe

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Incident No: 12 2019

Date: 9 February 2019
Time: 16.32 hrs
Location: Harthope Valley, near Wooler

A lone female walker reported herself lost in The Cheviots in Northumberland National Park. Limited information on her whereabouts was available to Northumbria Police and our Duty Controller as the 999 call had dropped out due to poor mobile reception. The mobile was, however, traced to a location between Langleeford and Langleeford Hope in the Harthope Valley near Wooler.

Our Duty Controller swiftly sent a PhoneFind text and follow up text to the female’s mobile prior to contacting the Police control room. As he was liaising with the Police, news came in that the female had been located, safe and well, near to Langleeford.

A good, swift outcome for all concerned meaning our members and North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team‘s could enjoy their Saturday evening.

The incident involved 2 Team members for 14 minutes.

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#team999 #mountainrescue #volunteers

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Incident No: 98 2018

Incident No: 98
Date: 7 July 2018
Time: 14.25 hrs
Location: Harthope Valley and Wooler Youth Hostel and Shepherds’ Huts

On Saturday the Team provided rescue and medical cover for the 2018 Chevy Chase. This challenging fell race through the stunning Cheviot Hills attracts some 300 runners each run.

Whilst it doesn’t look like it from the photograph, the weather was very hot especially for those looking to complete the 22 miles of the race. All the runners heeded the preventative advice for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, but nevertheless the Team’s medics had to deal with a couple of competitors suffering from heat exhaustion. They also had to deal with a retiree from the race who was suffering from a probable sprained ankle.

Thanks to the North East Ambulance Service Community Paramedic from Wooler for their assistance too.

By the end of the day all competitors were accounted for and those we treated were given advice should their condition worsen. All in a days’s work!

We’re glad everyone had a great day and many were able to enjoy England’s win over Sweden. #ItsComingHome

The incident involved 4 Team members for 3 hours 45 minutes.

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Incident No: 64 2017

Date: 10 December
Time: 11.58hrs
Location: Auchope Cairn, College Valley

The third incident this week led to the Team being deployed to the College Valley. A relative of a walker reported that they had been tracking the walker’s phone and indicated that the ‘phone ping’ had remained in the same location for 24 hours. She was clearly concerned for the walker’s wellbeing and contact was duly made with the Police.

Northumbria Police activated North of Tyne MRT and ourselves just before midday on Sunday. As we went to standby and the National Police Air Support service attended, a hasty party of local Team members was despatched to the College valley. Two vehicles were also despatched in support.

Soon after it was decided to call out the full team as we were uncertain NPAS could reach the location of the ‘phone ping’ due to cloud lying over The Cheviot. The Teams were to RV in Wooler to give us the option of deploying search groups from Wooler Common, Harthope valley and College valley.

Border Search & Rescue Unit were also placed on standby.

Unfortunately (or fortunately!) not long after the callout message it became apparent that our missing walker had more than likely spent the night at the Mounthooly bunkhouse and had left in the morning, fit and well. Once this information was confirmed, the majority of Team members were stood down.

The hasty party was requested by the Police to conduct a limited search in and around the location of the ‘phone ping’, which by now had been confirmed as being on the northerly slope of Auchope Cairn, just below the summit. After a hasty search of the lower to mid section of the Hen Hole and the route from Auchope shelter to Auchope Cairn had been conducted, with nothing found, the hasty party headed back to our Land Rover in the valley. Soon after it was confirmed that the walker had returned to Mounthooly having walked to Windy Gyle and back, totally oblivious about what had been going on.

A well meaning incident. Thankfully nobody was at risk and the walker was accounted for at the end of the day.

We’d like to thank, once again, the College Valley Estate for their assistance.

The incident involved 8 Team members for 6 hours 30 minutes. Another 16 members were en-route to Wooler when they were stood down.

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Incident No: 42 2017

Date: 27 August 2017
Time: 18.33hrs
Location: Auchope Shelter

The busy Bank Holiday weekend continues. A female walker had sustained a knee injury and was unable to weight bare whilst walking in The Cheviots. The injured walker and her three companions decided to call for the assistance of Mountain Rescue and took shelter in the Auchope refuge hut on the Border Ridge.

North of Tyne MRT and ourselves swiftly responded with two local members travelling direct to the College Valley and two Team Land Rovers from our respective bases with two Team members on board each. The RVP was Mounthooly bunkhouse.

In parallel Border Search & Rescue Unit deployed from the Scottish side of the border with two Landrovers. They intended to approach the refuge from the Bowmont valley whilst we approached from the upper College valley.

Thankfully for us the Estate Manager for College Valley and a colleague were able to assist by transporting a Team member onto the hill in their ATV. The ATV was then used to evacuate the injured walker and one other member of the party. Our Team member then walked the other two members of the party off the hill before being transported the remainder of the journey back to Mounthooly in a Team Land Rover.

The walkers were then transported in a Team Land Rover (or taxi!) back to their car in the Harthope Valley. They never quite made it to the top of The Cheviot – their objective for the day – so we hope they’ll be back up this way again once our casualty has made a full recovery.

We would particularly like to thank Steven and Mark from the College Valley Estate for their assistance during this rescue.

#999PoliceThenMountainRescue

The incident involved 9 Team members for 4 hours. The rest of the Team were on standby in case more assistance was required.

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Incident No: 34 2017

Date: 27 July 2017
Time: 15.40hrs
Location: The Cheviot

The busy period continues with another incident yesterday afternoon. A walker fell on the flag stones near the summit of The Cheviot and sustained a head injury. His companion provided immediate first aid and requested the assistance of Mountain Rescue.

Northumbria Police contacted North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team and ourselves, and our Duty Controller swiftly called out the Teams. Contact was also made with the casualty’s companion to assess the severity of the injuries.

As our Team Land Rover and members were en-route to the Harthope Valley, a local member headed up the hill to assess the situation. He was then followed by other Team members carrying a stretcher, casualty bag, group shelter, oxygen and other medical kit. Thankfully after the initial assessment it was felt that the casualty could walk off the hill with support. It would have been a very long stretcher carry off otherwise.

After medical attention and being warmed, a 3km supported walk down the hill and a short Landrover ride later, saw us hand over the casualty to the North East Ambulance Service.

We wish the walker a swift recovery not least because the accident happened on their first walk of a holiday to Northumberland. Not the way either of the walkers had hoped their day would end.

#999PoliceThenMountainRescue

The incident involved 18 Team members for 5 hours.

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Everyone in good spirits at the casualty site near the summit of The Cheviot
Walking off the casualty with support from Team members
Just over another kilometre to go
Final descent to the waiting Land Rover
A welcome sight just above the Harthope Valley
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Incident No: 17 2017

Date: 12 May 2017
Time: 18.42hrs
Location: Cold Law, Cheviot Hills

A male walker in his late 60s was reported lost in thick mist in The Cheviot Hills yesterday evening. Northumbria Police swiftly requested our and North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team’s assistance.

Having received details from the Police, our Incident Officer sent a SARLOC message to the walker’s phone. Unfortunately this failed. Thankfully the Incident Officer was able to speak to the walker on his mobile and from the information provided was able to identify a likely location.

The walker who was well equipped was asked to remain at his location whilst the Teams’ 4x4s were deployed to search the prioritised routes. The rest of the Team members were place on standby.

Shortly before 20.00hrs the walker was located to the north of Cold Law above the Harthope valley. He was tired and a bit cold but otherwise okay. He was transported to Wooler, his intended finishing point having started from Kirk Yetholm earlier in the day.

He had walked along the Pennine Way to The Cheviot, descended to Scald Hill and the over to Broadhope Hill before becoming disoriented in the thick mist. A big day out even without the ordeal at the end.

A good result!

The incident involved 11 Team members for 2 hours 20 minutes.

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Incident No: 11 2017

Date: 7 March 2017
Time: 14.51hrs
Location: Harthope Valley, near Wooler

Mid-afternoon yesterday the Team and North of Tyne MRT were requested by Northumbria Police to assist with the rescue of a female walker. The female had fallen and sustained a lower arm injury. The exact location was unknown but was believed to be on the footpath between Langleeford Farm and Scotsman Knowe.

The female’s husband raised the alarm having walked downstream to the nearest inhabited farmhouse at Langleeford.

Two Landrover ambulances were swiftly despatched whilst our Incident Officer travelled directly to the scene. Thankfully enroute the Teams were notified that a North East Ambulance Service Paramedic from Wooler had been able to access the female’s location just upstream of Langleeford Hope. The Paramedic was able to walk the casualty back to their vehicle and the Teams were stood down.

#WorkingTogether

The incident involved 11 Team members for 1 hour.

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*** Incident No.67 ***

Monday 19 December 2016, 11.30hrs

A lone male became unwell whilst walking in the Cheviot Hills this morning. Information received from the Police suggested the walker was in and out of consciousness. At this stage the exact location of the walker was unknown although indications were that he was on Hedgehope Hill.

The Team alongside North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team deployed immediately to rendezvous in the Harthope valley. SARLOC, the location App, was used successfully and the walker’s location was identified as being between Hedgehope and Long Crag. With this information, one of our Landrovers was re-directed to access the casualty’s location from Threestoneburn Wood whilst Team members headed up from the Harthope valley.

Given the seriousness of the situation, air support was also requested by our Incident Controller. A MCA helicopter from Prestwick, Rescue 999, was tasked to the incident and arrived on scene within 50 minutes.

Team members and a North East Ambulance Service Paramedic were transported up to the casualty’s location by the local farmer from Langleeford using his quad and trailer. The farmer’s support was very much appreciated.

Once the casualty had been assessed by the Paramedic from Rescue 999, Team members assisted the crew in carrying the stretcher to the awaiting S92 helicopter. The casualty was then flown to the RVI in Newcastle for further treatment.

The Team would also like to thank the passing walker who came across the casualty and provided immediate care before the emergency services arrived. The walker’s actions certainly helped to save a life.

#Teamwork

The incident involved 13 Team members for 2 hours 10 minutes.

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*** Incident No.50 ***

Sunday 4 September 2016, 13.18hrs

An incident with a difference!

Early afternoon on Sunday, North of Tyne MRT and ourselves received a request for assistance from Northumbria Police. A Labradoodle dog called Jack had badly injured his leg whilst out for a walk with four human companions. His campanions had just taken him over Scald Hill and were intending to head up to The Cheviot when the accident happened.

Whilst rescuing animals isn’t our main role, we decided to assist not least to relieve Jack’s suffering but also his owners. Our search dog handler and Tess, and our Team Leader, an ex dog handler, made their way to Scald Hill with a light weight stretcher to assist with the evacuation.

Jack was carefully ‘loaded’ into the stretcher before we, a Police Officer, and Jack’s owners and their friends, carried him back to the Harthope Valley. We have since heard that Jack is in hospital awaiting an operation on his leg tomorrow.

We hope Jack makes a full and swift recovery, and not before too long is out walking the hills of Northumberland National Park, with his owners.

The incident involved 3 Team members for 3.5 hours.

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