Missing hillwalker rescued after enduring two nights amid Storm Otto

Dr John Pike, 61, from Bristol was last seen leaving his accommodation in Portree around 8.30am on Thursday.

Missing hillwalker from Bristol rescued after enduring two nights near Loch Coruisk amid Storm Otto — Skye: Missing hillwalker Dr John Pike (left) was found by rescue teams (right) on Saturday morning. Police Scotland/Skye MRT

19th Feb 2023

A missing hillwalker has been found after he endured two nights on a open hillside amid Storm Otto in Skye.

Dr John Pike, 61, from Bristol was last seen leaving his accommodation in Portree around 8.30am on Thursday, February 16.

Police said that his silver Toyota Prius car had been traced parked at the Sligachan Hotel at around 11am on Friday.

Officers carried out searches of the area alongside the coastguard and Skye Mountain Rescue Team, who eventually found Dr Pike on Saturday morning.

Dr John Pike was rescued on Saturday. Police Scotland

The rescuers said he had become immobilised after suffering a lower leg injury on Thursday, and endured two nights on the open hillside above Loch Coruisk.

Despite wind speeds of 95mph on Thursday night, plummeting temperatures and fresh snow on Friday night, Dr Pike was found safe and alert – albeit very cold.

More than 50 rescuers were involved in the search, including mountain rescue teams from Kintail, RAF Lossiemouth, North Police, along with Search and Rescue Dog Association Southern Scotland, Coastguard teams and Mallaig Lifeboat.

A statement by Skye Mountain Rescue Team read: “We are pleased to report that our ongoing search for the missing hillwalker, Dr John Pike, came to a successful conclusion this morning.

“Dr Pike, who had become immobilised after suffering a lower leg injury on Thursday, had endured two nights on the open hillside above Loch Coruisk.”

It added: “We would like to wish Dr Pike a speedy recovery and thank everyone involved in the search and rescue.”