Climber airlifted to hospital after falling 15 metres from mountain ridge

A climber was airlifted to hospital after falling 15 meters from a mountain ridge on the Isle of Skye.

Skye Mountain Rescue Team SCIO was called out to reports of an injured climber on the north-west ridge of Sgùrr nan Eag on Tuesday.

The Coastguard initially dispatched its helicopter, R948, but low, thick clouds made it difficult to reach the scene safely.

Skye Mountain Rescue

However, the helicopter was able to drop ten mountain rescue members partway up the hill, allowing them to reach the casualty on foot quicker.

Team members assessed and treated the climber for multiple injuries before he was stretchered to safer ground.

Skye Mountain Rescue

He was carried down to the lochan at Coire Ghrunnda with assistance from Kintail Mountain Rescue.

The cloud lifted enough for the helicopter to return and take the casualtyto Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

A spokesperson for Skye Mountain Rescue Team said: “Huge thanks to the crew of R948 and our friends at Kintail Mountain Rescue and also Glenelg Mountain Rescue who were on standby. We wish the casualty a full and speedy recovery.”

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