Callouts would put rescuers and their families at risk. Photo: Bob Smith/grough
The body representing mountain rescuers south of the border expressed disappointment that walkers had been ignoring advice and travelling to national parks during the coronavirus crisis.
Mountain Rescue England and Wales pleaded with the public to stay at home over the Easter weekend.
The organisation said, like everyone else, it was following the national health protection advice and applying it to its situation as a voluntary service.
A spokesperson said: “Mountain rescue teams across the country have been disappointed to see walkers ignoring the national advice, travelling into national parks and other areas and, it is assumed, expecting MR volunteers to risk their own lives, and those of their families and colleagues, to come to a walker’s aid if called.”
Mike France: 'stay at home over the Easter weekend'
Senior executive officer Mike France said: “MREW’s priority is resilience. We need to make sure that as many of our trained volunteers as possible are available for essential callouts and to support the paid emergency services as needed.
“The hills and upland areas will still be there to be enjoyed once the restrictions are lifted.
“We’ve seen a huge drop in the number of callouts in the past couple of weeks and we’re very grateful for that. But it is vitally important that people continue to be responsible and that everyone stays at home over the Easter weekend.
“That is what will save lives and protect not only the NHS but also our mountain rescue volunteers.”
Ray Pitt
09 April 2020Some people just don't get it, I saw several teenagers in a park yesterday climbing over play equipment with at least 10 notices saying keep off.
Its the same with people going to the mountains. Many rescue teams are made up with Doctors, Paramedics and the like who are already fully commited at the moment, not including members who are self isolating for various reasons.
An unintentional accident puts immense strain on others when they don't need it; and god forbid you should need a ventilator!
Just stay away
Ron Pickering (Keswick)
09 April 2020It's not just the youngsters who think the restrictions don't apply to them. I don't defend it at all, but to an extent I can understand the stupidity of youth, although I wonder why their parents don't step in with some common sense.
Sadly we hear plenty of examples of more mature people flouting the rules and that just beggars belief.
Social media (facebook / twitter and the like), has lots of examples of people still heading onto the fells. For all the reasons listed in this article, walking on the fells in these times is selfish and irresponsible but to then publicise what you've done really is the height of stupidity.
An example is the guy who lives in St John's in the Vale walking up Raven Crag and then telling everyone what he'd done. Idiot !!
books bites brews
11 April 2020Oldham Mountain Rescue Team is backing a plea by its national organisation calling on the public to make a sound judgement over any moves away from home at this critical time.
Margaret
01 May 2020Mountain Rescue emerged from and has its roots in the activity of Mountaineering.
As we and the media continually raise Mountain Rescue profile will it eventually become separated from its beginnings and even become an arm of the state?
Pete
10 May 2020Sounds like the chap in St Johns in the Vale stayed at home, carrying out permitted exercise on a local route he probably knows well, with little chance of meeting anyone due to the lack of tourists. What's wrong with that?