Climber knocked out after falling over 100 feet from mountain airlifted to hospital

A climber had to be airlifted off a mountain on the Isle of Skye following a fall of more than 100 feet that knocked him unconscious.

Thirteen volunteers from Skye Mountain Rescue team were called to Sgurr nan Eag in the Cullin mountain range on the island on Wednesday afternoon.

The climber, attempting to traverse the ridge as part of a pair, took a tumbling fall of around 35 to 40m after misjudging a handhold.

He was knocked unconscious during the fall but stopped on a ledge just before another large drop.

A climber, attempting a traverse of the ridge as part of a pair, took a tumbling fall of around 35 to 40m after misjudging a handhold. Skye Mountain Rescue/Facebook

Crews say he escaped with “relatively minor injuries” considering the distance of the fall.

HM Coastguard sent a rescue helicopter from Stornoway to the scene and airlifted the man before he was flown to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

Skye MRT said on Facebook: “The team were in action today for our first Cuillin rescue of the year.

“Thirteen team members responded after a climber, attempting a traverse of the ridge as part of a pair, took a tumbling fall of around 35 to 40m near Sgurr nan Eag after misjudging a handhold.

“He was knocked unconscious during the fall but, incredibly, stopped on a ledge just before another large drop, escaping with relatively minor injuries considering the distance he fell.

“Rescue 948 from Stornoway uplifted two team members to the scene, where they assisted the winchman/paramedic in treating the casualty before he was flown to Raigmore Hospital.

“A huge thank you to the crew of the helicopter and to passersby David and Jodhi, who provided first aid and helped carry kit off the hill back to Glenbrittle.”

An HM Coastguard spokesperson said: “At around 10.39am yesterday (Wednesday March 19), HM Coastguard received reports of a casualty with a head injury at Cullin Hills, Isle of Skye.

“Skye Mountain Rescue Team, Inverness Coastguard Rescue Team and an HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter were called, and the casualty was put into the care of Scottish Ambulance Service.”