It's been a hectic few days for the dedicated Oldham Mountain Rescue Team
Reporter: Ken Bennett
Date published: 21 December 2020
Some of the members of the rescue team attending to the weekend incident
Sixteen members of the Oldham Mountain Rescue Team were involved in saving a female on Crompton Moor on Saturday.
The team received a request for assistance from the North West Ambulance Service who were responding to reports the woman had slipped and injured her ankle while out walking.
The Team and NWAS paramedics arrived at the same time, jointly administering medical aid and warming the casualty in OMRT’s special big, fluffy winter casualty bag.
She was then packaged on the team’s stretcher and carried the small distance to their Land Rover, using a simple rope system for back up on the steep slope.
A short drive down the track later she was transferred to the NWAS ambulance and hospital.
The team were involved for just over two hours.
Coincidentally, Oldham’s Mayor, Cllr Ginny Alexander, today (Monday) made a £500 donation to “the amazing” OMRT.
In praise of their volunteering, she said: “They are an incredible dedicated voluntary organisation, helping those lost, injured or in danger in remote and inaccessible areas around the borough and beyond, saving our people, our wildlife and our moors.
“Their objective is “to save life and alleviate distress, primarily in upland and mountain areas” without cost or obligation.”
The team was formed in 1964 and is one of around 53 volunteer mountain and cave rescue units providing a search and rescue service to help people in difficulties in the wild and remote places of England and Wales.
The Mayor explained: “Each team works mainly in its own area and provides a service linked to local physical and geographical needs.
“For the Oldham team it is the northern end of the Peak District National Park the rural and urban areas of Greater Manchester.
"They have strong links with Greater Manchester Police, North West Ambulance Service and The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
“The team help police in other search activities in areas and conditions where they may not have adequate resources or experience.
“In addition to mountain rescue and search activities, the team is available as a back up for the ambulance and fire services at busy times, during severe weather, major incident or where our specialist skills are needed.
“The Oldham team of more than 50 volunteers provide a professional rescue service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and are funded almost entirely by generous public donation.
“Not surprisingly they won the Queens Award for Voluntary Service 2019 at a ceremony I was honoured to attend.
"This award is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities.
“Thank you for all you do.”
To contribute to the OMRT volunteers, visit: www.omrt.org
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