Macclesfield Canal, Bosley
- Call out for year: 76
- Date: 5/10/20
- Time: 2:41 pm
- Grid ref: SJ 90800 65500
- Type of incident: Walker Injured(1)
- Team members involved: 17
- Time taken: 1 hour 49 minutes
- Total man hours: 31 hours
Incident report
As a mountain rescue team, we are more used to working in the hills and moorlands of the Peak District, so today’s callout to the Macclesfield Canal was an opportunity to do something slightly different.
Whilst out enjoying a walk along the towpath the casualty had placed a foot awkwardly on uneven ground resulting in a very painful lower leg injury. Our colleagues from North West Ambulance Service had arrived at the scene to give the casualty initial medical treatment and called Buxton MRT to assist with the extraction. Much of our work involves casualty evacuation down steep slopes, through boulder fields and over walls and hedges, so a narrow canal tow path would present few problems other than the opportunity of enjoying an unplanned swim!
Team members made their way to the incident site to meet with NWAS paramedics and begin to plan the extraction. The casualty was transferred to our mountain rescue stretcher, complete with its wheel, and the party was then able to make their way back to the ambulance parked at the roadside.
The casualty was reassessed at this point before transfer into the ambulance to begin the next stage of the journey to hospital.
Team equipment was then cleaned, as per Covid-19 policies, and packed back on to the vehicles ready for the next callout.
We are grateful for the assistance provided by members of the Canal & River Trust, and the opportunity to work with personnel from the NWAS Hazardous Area Response Team.
