Incident report

Buxton team was asked to assist the West Midlands Ambulance Service with a fallen climber at the Roaches.

Knowing the potential severity of any climbing accident on Hen Cloud, the team responded in numbers, and an RAF Sea King was also requested to attend.

The casualty, a 36 year old male climber, had fallen up to 30 feet and landed on his feet. He sustained chest, pelvic and back injuries and was treated on site by the ambulance service and trauma doctor on the aircraft. Given the location of the casualty, lifting and carrying to extracate him, let alone stretchering him across the rocky terrain to the roadside would have been a very difficult option.

Fortunately, a Sea King crew was available and the man was winched into the aircraft using a high line to avoid the stretcher spinning.

The climber was flown to the University of North Staffs. for further treatment. His gear, which was left on the crag face, was later retrieved by team members in attendance.