A hillwalker was airlifted to hospital by mountain rescue teams after falling more than 30ft during a hike on New Year’s Day.
A woman seriously injured her leg after slipping on ice on a hill above Loch Muick in Aberdeenshire and was rescued by a team including Braemar Mountain Rescue (BMR) at around 1pm on Monday, January 1.
The hiker was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after being treated at the scene by two volunteers from mountain rescue arriving in a vehicle and three other colleagues who were airlifted to the site by the Coastguard helicopter crew.
The woman was in a party of four, made up of two couples from Glasgow who were making their way back to their vehicle when she lost her footing.
She was treated by the Coastguard paramedic and members of mountain rescue after sliding for around ten metres (32ft) before being put on to a stretcher and winched up to the rescue helicopter.
The hikers were walking on the hill above the loch which is part of the Balmoral Estate, also home to the Royal Family’s Balmoral Castle.
Braemar’s MRT said the group were not wearing crampons – a traction device attached to footwear that improves mobility on snow and ice – but were otherwise ‘properly equipped for the conditions’.
BMR posted on Facebook: “1pm on 1st of the 1st which can only mean one thing. Our 1st Callout of 2024!
“A seriously injured walker requiring evacuation near Loch Muick. Team members attended to assist and escort the group safely home. Happy New Year folks.”
In the comments on Facebook, one woman posted: “Can’t thank you enough for helping my daughter today. She’s comfortable, safe and warm in Aberdeen hospital.”
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