Duke of Edinburgh volunteers play their part in rescue drama

Thirteen members of Oldham Mountain Rescue Team responded to the incident at Piethorne Reservoir

The leader of the heroes of the hills praised a group of Duke of Edinburgh volunteers who alerted rescue services to an injured cyclist who had fallen close to a reservoir.

Thirteen members of Oldham Mountain Rescue Team responded to the incident at Piethorne Reservoir, New Hey, on Friday.

The team had been contacted by Northwest Ambulance Service who requested assistance with the treatment and evacuation of the man who had fractured his arm in the fall.

Said Rob Tortoiseshell, OMRT leader: “As we arrived on scene, the man was being helped by two off duty paramedics, who had administered initial medical aid.

"We took over, with our Casualty Carer assessing and treating the casualty, before he was packaged on our stretcher and into the Land Rover for the journey up the track to the NWAS ambulance.

“Thanks and well done to the Duke of Edinburgh group who helped raise the alarm, and to the men who did the initial treatment and stayed with the casualty until we arrived.

"We wish the casualty all the best for a speedy recovery."

As mountain rescue were leaving the scene, GMP called asking them to help a pair of walkers stranded on the steep section of pathway at Birchen Clough.

Added Rob: “Although they were uninjured, we deployed four of our team to assist the pair in case they got into further trouble trying to extricate themselves from their predicament, and we escorted to the main track at Greenfield Reservoir.

“As a rescue service we are happy to assist anyone in distress.

"We don’t judge our casualties and respectfully ask our followers to act in a similar manner.

"Let’s keep it positive folks.”

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