The Land Rover rolled into a drainage gully. Photo: Holme Valley MRT
A rescuer escaped unhurt after a Land Rover overturned while on a callout to help an injured walker.
Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team described the incident near Wessenden Lodge as a close call, but vowed it will not affect its ability to respond to those in need.
The vehicle ended up on its side in a ditch next to a track close to the Pennine Way on the West Yorkshire moors. A team spokesperson said the accident proved mountain rescue teams were not infallible.
“Unfortunately, during the callout the team Land Rover rolled into a drainage gully after driving into a hole at the edge of the narrow track which was obscured by long grass.
“The vehicle was stopped to allow the driver to engage the low-ratio gearbox to escape from the hole but more of the track around the hole subsided, causing the Land Rover to roll off the track,” the spokesperson said. The only person in the vehicle at the time was the driver, who was uninjured.
The incident happened near Blakeley Reservoir. Photo: Bob Smith/grough
The walker, who was experiencing knee problems near Blakeley Reservoir, was helped by the team despite the Land Rover incident.
The vehicle was recovered with the help of a local farmer’s tractor and is now being examined before brought back into service.
The spokesperson said: “The vehicle will now be comprehensively checked at a garage to ascertain the extent of the damage.
“We don’t have information yet on when the Land Rover will be back in service but this incident does not affect the team’s ability to provide search and rescue services. We have our control vehicle and access to a number of alternative 4×4 vehicles and Land Rovers.
“Our next scheduled activity is to provide rescue cover for Holmfirth Harriers’ Holme Moss Fell Race on Sunday 24 July.”
The spokesperson added: “The team wishes to express its gratitude to the couple from the local farm who helped recover the Land Rover. We are not sure what we would have done without your help.”
Baz
23 July 2016No roll cage! A Defender without a roll cage is quite simply a VERY unsafe vehicle, and not suitable for off-road work. The roof and sides are aluminium, and crush like bread. NEVER go off-road (or a motorway) in a Defender that hasn't got a roll cage. Doesn't the rescue team know this?
Tim Sugars
25 July 2016Baz,
If you look at the Landy, no obvious damage done.
Landy's have an excellent record of safety within the MRT world. With millions of miles having been driven by some times very inexperinced drivers.
Yes, a roll cage would be safer but takes up valuable room.
Yes, a Jap 4x4 is both cheaper and may be safer, but real world is near useless on prodominatly 'Landrover' tracks found in our national parks/ remote areas.
Put a ton and a half of kit into a modern 4x4 that is setup for eco road and mild greenlaning and then try and drive a rutted muddy hill track and you will soon be knocking on the nearest farm door...
We were provided with Toyota HiLuxs a few years back(RAF MRT). Decent tyres were eventually fitted but :-
Not sufficient ground clearance, no rear recovery point, gutless performance when loaded and five MRT members....
There is a reason why nearly all MRT's in the UK use Landies, why French Gendarmes use them in the Alps etc...