The incident happened near Kylerhea on the Isle of Skye. Photo: Chris Morgan CC-BY-SA-2.0

A rescue team called out to reports of a man suffering a cardiac arrest learnt the casualty was a colleague.

Skye Mountain Rescue Team responded on Wednesday to the call for help to the incident near Kylerhea.

A team spokesperson said: “En route, we learned that it was our colleague Andy Law, who had been setting up a children’s nature project on a hillside near his home.”

As they arrived at the site, the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter was airlifting Mr Law to Broadford Hospital, but he was pronounced dead.

The volunteer rescue paid tribute to Mr Law, who had been on the callout roster until recently.

Posting on social media, the team said: “Andy was a much liked, respected and committed team member over many years, and a good friend to those of us who knew him in that time.

“Never flash, always calm and steady, he would happily get on with any task that came his way, whether long carries or consoling distressed casualties.

“Although he had retired from the callout list a few months ago, he was still a non-active team member, responsible for our website, another job he did with quiet efficiency.

“He had the furthest to travel to most call-outs, yet he was there at so many of them, never complaining at a wasted journey or a night on the hill.”

ANDY LAW
At 1545 on Wednesday, Skye MRT was called out to assist with the recovery of a male who had suffered a cardiac arrest near Kylerhea. En route, we learned that it was our colleague Andy Law, who had been setting up a children's nature project on a hillside near his home. pic.twitter.com/TtvUlAqdX6

— Skye Mountain Rescue (@SkyeMRT) March 29, 2019

Skye MRT said Mr Law always came armed with a camera, and was the team’s unofficial photographer, recording many incidents and training exercises.

It added: “Our love and thoughts go out to his wife Debbie and three children, his wider family and many friends who will all miss him terribly.”