Incident report

A joint Buxton Edale snatch squad was called to the Chapel Gate track off Rushop Edge on Wednesday afternoon to assist the ambulance service with an injured hill walker.

Two walkers, from Stretford, Greater Manchester, a male and female in their 70s requested assistance with an ankle injury. Their reported location was the Chapel Gate Track on the Edale side. However, they were not located at the point given, and a local search was organised during which they were found on the Dalehead footpath above Whitemoor Clough.

A shelter tent was quickly opened for the female casualty to provide protection from the very cold wind. The lady had slipped on the steep ground whilst descending the Dalehead path. In doing so she aggravated a pre-existing injury of her right ankle and was immobile. Treatment was provided by team members on site including splinting. The lady was in very good spirits throughout, despite being being placed into a vacuum mattress and carried on a mountain rescue stretcher for more than a kilometre to a waiting land ambulance at Rushop Edge.

The casualty was transferred by land ambulance to Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, for further treatment.