Mountain biker airlifted to hospital after crash on trail

Emergency services were called to Innerleithen mountain bike trails on Tuesday.

Mountain biker airlifted to hospital by rescue hospital after crash on Innerleithen biking trail — The injured mountain biker was airlifted to hospital on Tuesday. Tweed Valley MRT via Supplied

20th Apr 2022

A mountain biker had to be airlifted to hospital after crashing on a trail in the Borders.

Emergency services were called to Innerleithen mountain bike trails on Tuesday after receiving reports that a biker had seriously injured his arm following a crash.

They called on the Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue team, who dispatched seven volunteers and a rescue helicopter to the scene.

The casualty was then airlifted to hospital, where his condition is currently unknown.

The casualty was transferred to hospital by a rescue helicopter. Tweed Valley MRT via Supplied

A spokesperson for Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue said: “We were called to an incident at the Innerleithen MTB trails on Tuesday where we assisted in the evacuation of an injured mountain biker.

“After assessment by Scottish Ambulance Service Paramedics, it was decided that the casualty required helicopter evacuation due to a significant upper arm injury coupled with potentially more serious injuries caused by the impact of his crash.

“The helicopter evacuation meant he was at hospital 10 minutes after the aircraft left the incident site as opposed to potentially a one-and-a-half-hour transfer by road ambulance.

“This incident involved seven volunteer team members.

“Thanks go to the crew of Rescue Helicopter 199, Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service, HMCG Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre as well as the other members of the casualties riding party who assisted in the stretcher carry.”