Hill runner who fell 'significant distance' from icy Stachach ridge on Isle of Arran rescued

A hill runner who fell a “significant distance” from an icy mountain on the Isle of Arran has been rescued and airlifted to hospital.

Arran Mountain Rescue Team were called to the incident at the north buttress of Stacach Ridge, at around 3pm on Tuesday, March 14.

The pass links Goatfell, Arran’s highest peak at 874m, with North Goatfell, which stands at 818m.

The man was rescued and flown to Prestwick Airport by HM Coastguard’s Rescue 199 helicopter, before being taken to hospital.

His condition is currently unknown, but rescue crews confirmed he had sustained multiple injuries.

A statement by Arran Mountain Rescue Team said: “The team were called out at approximately 3pm today to assist a hill runner who had fallen a significant distance from the north buttress of Stacach ridge, north of Goatfell, sustaining multiple injuries.

“Thankfully the cloud lifted shortly after the call which allowed Rescue 199 to drop their winchman down to the casualty to start treatment before picking up several team members and dropping them on the ridge.

“The winchman and team members packaged the casualty before he was winched on board Rescue 199 and flown to hospital.

“Thank you to everyone for their help and we wish the casualty a speedy recovery.”

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “The Coastguard Helicopter from Prestwick was sent to assist Police Scotland with the evacuation of an injured person from Goatfell, Isle of Arran.

“The casualty was extracted by the helicopter, with the help of Arran Mountain Rescue Team and transported to Prestwick Airport, before being handed over to the Scottish Ambulance Service.”