Climber with hypothermia airlifted from Glen Coe… and then got bus home

A climber suffering from hypothermia was airlifted from Glen Coe and then got the bus home.

On Saturday, the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team was alerted by Police Scotland to a climber who had become “cragfast” – stranded on a cliff-face unable to move up or down – on steep, icy terrain in the Scottish Highlands.

The man was also becoming mildly hypothermic.

Due to the man’s condition and the difficulties posed by the conditions, a helicopter was sent to rescue him.

A spokesperson for Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team said: “Using ropes, the team lowered the casualty to easier ground and then moved him to a suitable location for helicopter uplift and transfer back down to roadside.

“Team members later gave him a lift back to Glencoe village in time for him to catch the bus home.”

The team of 30 volunteers was also alerted to a rescue on Sunday, when a climber fell and suffered a head and wrist injury.

Two nearby climbers abseiled down to assist the group of three people, and a helicopter was called out.

A spokesperson for Glencoe Mountain Rescue said: “With some brilliant flying skills they were able to pick the climber from the crag for transfer to hospital.

“The team were then left to assist the remaining party of two off the crag.”