Boy, 13, saves his moors fall mate
Reporter: Ken Bennett
Date published: 09 February 2009
A mountain rescue official praised a Diggle schoolboy for the quick action in saving his injured friend yesterday.
The pair were descending through deep snow and heather at Harrop Edge when one of them injured an ankle.
The youngster was in pain and could not put any weight on his foot.
His 13-year-old friend called 999 on his mobile and ambulance control alerted Oldham Mountain Rescue Team.
A squad of experts, including the rescue team’s doctor Andy Taylor, rushed to the scene in support of the ambulance.
Deputy mountain rescue team leader, Denzil Broadhurst, said: “After initially driving up to the old Horse and Jockey pub, the lad said on his phone that he’d seen the ambulance drive up the hill.
“That gave us a rough guide to their location. We were able to spot the two lads on the steep slope and the team headed up through thigh-deep snow to the spot.
“Dr Taylor splinted the ankle and we gave the lad some pain relief, while getting him in one of our warm casualty bags.
“His friend was walked off to the ambulance, though he was also very cold, having given his jacket to his mate lying on the floor.
“The casualty was loaded on the stretcher and slid and carried down the slope to the waiting ambulance and we transferred him to the care of the paramedics.
“The youngster who helped his friend did all the right things. He did an excellent job.”
