Woman carried off hill in stretcher for three hours in Christmas Day rescue

Two mountain rescue teams were involved in a gruelling rescue mission for three hours on Christmas Day afternoon.

The Oldham Mountain Rescue Team (OMRT) was initially contacted by the North West Ambulance Service, which had received a call about a woman with a possible broken ankle in the Dovestones area. Using phone finder tech, she was located high up on the moor, near Ashway Stone.

The team was called out and members were soon making their way up the hillside carrying various pieces of equipment to deal with the injury. Once the casualty was found the team carried out a medical assessment.

The casualty was going to need to be carried off the hill by stretcher so OMRT called their neighbouring team, Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team (HVMRT), to assist with the long carry. The casualty’s companions were walked off the hill in the remaining daylight.

In the meantime, the casualty’s ankle was splinted, she was kept warm and loaded onto a stretcher. By the time they started the carry off it was dark. Eventually, the rescuers reached the waiting ambulance down near the reservoir for the onward journey to hospital.

Ten Oldham Team members and six Holme Valley Team members were involved for three hours. OMRT thanked HVMRT for their assistance.