Rescue body board to aid Findhorn's Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation
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A DEBT of thanks has seen a piece of life-saving equipment added to Findhorn-based Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation's armoury.
Friends of Hopeman man Zander Craib helped raise more than £3000 for MIRO after he fell off a cliff edge near the town in September last year.
That cash has now been put to use as the group have purchased a rescue body board, which will allow them to reach people in distress in a timely manner.
Back in September, Zander, aged 19, suffered a fall and was found badly injured by members of the public on Primrose Bay, before MIRO attended and called medical assistance.
MORE: Family of Zander Craib thank community
Zander was taken by helicopter to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness – where it was found he had a ruptured artery to his heart – before being flown to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for open heart surgery.
While he was recovering in hospital, Zander's friend Kelsie Rae organised a raffle for him – which raised £3070 for MIRO.
It was always Zander's hope that the money would be used to purchase a rescue body board.
“I will be eternally grateful to MIRO," he said. "Up until the rescue my friends and I didn’t realise how valuable a service MIRO provide along our remote coastline.
"Where I was found was a very isolated area of the coast. The only practical solution was to airlift me and I’m also grateful to rescue helicopter 151 for helping save my life.
"Unfortunately the airlift aggravated my internal bleeding and, on arrival to Raigmore hospital, I was rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for open heart surgery.
"If MIRO had had a rescue body board on the boat, the crew might have been able to safely rescue me to the shore.
"I was really keen that MIRO should use the money raised in my name to buy this piece of equipment. I am absolutely delighted that they have done exactly that.”
MIRO operations manager Peter Mackenzie said: “Zander’s rescue and subsequent recovery from his injuries is definitely one of MIRO’s great success stories. We are delighted he has made a full recovery.
"Zander asked that we use some of the money he donated to purchase a rescue body board that could support recovery of a casualty in a similar situation.
"I am pleased to report that we now have this piece of equipment on board our rescue boat.”
MIRO chairman John Low added: “Zander’s rescue was one of 29 emergency call outs that MIRO volunteers responded to in 2021.
"We depend on donations to deliver this life-saving rescue service and we are very grateful Zander and Kelsie for the very generous donation.
"Our crew and shore support volunteers remain on call 24/7, 365 days of the year and have so far responded to 10 call outs this year.”
