Galloway Mountain Rescue Team battle Storm Boelo in 'gruelling' call-out to injured runner

Galloway Mountain Rescue Team were called to rescue an injured runner during Storm Boelo in what they described as one of their most gruelling call-outs.

Around 11am on Sunday, the team were called out to Curleywee, a 2,211ft hill in Galloway, during an amber warning for wind issued by the Met Office.

Storm Boelo brought strong winds and heavy rain in places, including the south-west coast of Scotland, where some areas, such as Largs and Saltcoats, were flooded.

Police asked the ten-person team to assist an injured runner who had suffered a lower leg injury while competing in the 57th OMM mountain challenge.

According to the team, it was “one of the most gruelling callouts the team has faced in recent history”.

Heading out in their specialised vehicles, Galloway Delta and Lima, the team met up at Whitelaggan Bothy.

A rescue helicopter was also called to aid their mission but due to the severe weather it was forced to turn back.

The team took three and a half hours to carry the casualty down the hill. Galloway Mountain Rescue Team

The on-ground team had to contend with “torrential rain, severe winds, and unforgiving, boggy ground”, before eventually reaching the casualty at around 3.15pm.

The team praised the runners, who were on scene and had helped keep the casualty warm, and the leg was splinted.

Having been placed in a vacuumed mattress with a heated blanket, the team prepared to carry the casualty down.

In a Facebook post, the team wrote: “With extreme winds making our initial route out impassable, the team had to navigate the safest and best available descent through rapidly worsening conditions.

“By the time we hit lower ground at 5pm, a lengthy carry-out loomed ahead. Thankfully, we were met at the bottom by seven members of the OMM safety team, who stepped in to help.

”After a gruelling 3.5-hour carry-out, the team finally made it back to the RV, standing down at 8.45pm after safely handing the casualty over to the Scottish Ambulance Service.

“We want to extend our thanks to everyone who assisted us under such brutal conditions, especially the fellow runners, and the OMM safety team.”