Complex rescue after farmer falls 30ft down gorge at River Findhorn
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RESCUERS faced challenging circumstances when a farmer fell 30 feet down a steep gorge at the River Findhorn last week.
Specialist HM Coastguard rope teams were called just before 9am last Friday, August 21, to assist ambulance and fire and rescue crews after the man was injured in the fall down a steep, difficult-to-access gorge and onto the riverbed near Drynachan Lodge, on the Cawdor Estate.
Coastguard teams with specialist expertise in rope rescues were sent to the scene from Burghead, Inverness and Nairn, along with a senior coastal operations officer.
The search-and-rescue helicopter from Inverness was also dispatched with a winchman paramedic on board.
Trees lining the narrow gorge made it impossible for a stretcher to be winched out safely, so the helicopter's paramedic was winched down to stabilise the casualty.
The Coastguard team established a complex rope set-up to lower a rope technician and a nurse practitioner down to the riverbed to provide trauma care.
The casualty was then lifted to safety with the assistance of the fire service team.
The ambulance team took over when they reached the top and the man was airlifted to hospital.
The extent of the man's injuries is unknown.
One of the farmer's colleagues had managed to get to the scene to provide help and support. He was later helped back up the gorge to safety, together with four working dogs. He was not injured.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the rescue put teamwork to the test, adding: "Every rescue is unique, with its own special challenges and some are more technical than others.
"Until the early afternoon, the teams worked closely together in the difficult circumstances and isolated location to find the safest and most efficient means of getting the man to safety."
Craig Masson, maritime operations officer at Aberdeen Coastguard Operations Centre, said: "This really was a highly challenging rescue for everyone involved.
"Although our work is predominantly around our coasts, our skills are often called in to assist other emergency services and authorities.
"All the teams did a fantastic job and our wishes are now with the man and his family for a speedy recovery."
