Christmas party interrupted as RAF and mountain rescue save injured walker in Glen Etive

A mountain rescue team’s Christmas party was interrupted as volunteers were called out to save an injured walker.

Members of Glencoe MRT had just been served their starters when they were called alongside Lossiemouth RAF Mountain Rescue Service to the incident on Friday evening.

Volunteers battled icy and snowy conditions and confirmed there was no immediate risk to life for the walker on Buachaille Etive Mòr at the head of Glen Etive.

The climber had sustained a shoulder injury and had to be carried by stretcher back to the road after being rescued by a long multi-stage rope.

The RAF and Lochaber mountain rescue team agreed to continue the rescue to allow Glencoe MRT to return to the festivities.

A Glencoe MRT spokesperson said: “Thank you very much to Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team & Lossiemouth Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service for their help on Friday night.

“We had just been served the starters at our annual dinner when this call came in.

“After making sure that there was no immediate risk to life, that the Lossimouth RAF team were close by and Lochaber were available it was agreed that they would take on the rescue and we could enjoy the rest of our meal.

“We would like to wish the casualty a speedy recovery, and once again thank you to the boys and girls from Lochaber and Lossiemouth, drinks are very definitely on us.”

Lochaber MRT described the “very challenging” weather and snow conditions during the rescue.

“We worked alongside RAF Lossiemouth MRT to extract the casualty via a long multi-stage rope lower over difficult ground, followed by a stretcher carry back to the road,” a spokesperson said.

“After a long night, everyone was back at base for breakfast by 8am, marking the end of our 160th callout of the year.

“Thanks to Coastguard R199 from Prestwick for their attempts to battle through the weather and save us a long night.

“Last night was our Christmas party so it was Glencoe MRTs turn for party cover – thankfully apart from the ceilidh it was an uneventful night.”