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Sponsored hike ends in hill rescue operation

BSARU A rescue vehicle on a dark hillside shines its lights onto hill rescuers helping a casualtyBSARU
The man was a short way into a 268-mile sponsored hike when he got injured

A sponsored walk along the Pennine Way ended up in a rescue operation.

A man set off from Kirk Yetholm in the Borders on Saturday lunchtime intending to cover the full 268-mile route in the space of a fortnight.

He made good early progress but rolled his ankle on uneven ground and heard an "audible crack".

Borders Search and Rescue Unit (BSARU) was called out and managed to get two vehicles to the casualty and quickly take him to safety.

BSARU A rescue team gathers round an injured man in a small tent on some rough grassy ground near the top of a hillBSARU
The rescue team said the walker "did exactly the right thing" and called emergency services

The Pennine Way is a popular route with walkers running between Kirk Yetholm and Edale in Derbyshire.

BSARU volunteer Damon Rodwell said the incident - about a mile past the high point at Windy Gyle - was not uncommon.

"The injury was caused by an accident that can happen to anyone," he said.

"Just about anyone who spends time in the hills will have rolled an ankle at some point."

He said that if that happened while carrying a heavy pack it could very easily result in a "serious sprain or a broken bone".

BSARU A rescue team with head torches on helps a man on a stretcher out of his tent on a Borders hillsideBSARU
The rescue team got two vehicles to the injured man

"As soon as he knew he was in trouble, he did exactly the right thing," added Mr Rodwell.

"He called 999, asked for police, mountain rescue, erected his tent and made himself as comfortable as possible.

"We found him warm, relatively comfortable and in good spirits.

"He's clearly a fit, capable and organised guy, and we wish him well in his recovery."

BSARU was able to get two Landrovers to the walker across "steep, wet and muddy terrain".

It said that meant they were able to quickly take the man off the hillside once his condition had been stabilised, he had received pain relief and his ankle had been splinted.