Rescuers at the site high in the northern Pennines. Photo: NNPMRT
Volunteer rescuers were called to the aid of motorists stranded in wintry conditions on the England-Scotland border.
Police contacted Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team and North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team late on Saturday afternoon to help deal with a number of people stuck at Carter Bar in the Cheviots.
Other drivers were stuck further east on the A68 near Elishaw.
Team members were carrying out welfare checks on members of the community in remote and rural areas in the aftermath of Storm Arwen when they were called upon to help. They battled winter conditions to reach the stranded drivers.
Keith Briggs, team leader for North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team, said: “We swiftly deployed three of our emergency vehicles to those locations.
“Our volunteers reported that driving conditions were extremely challenging in those areas because of the snow and poor visibility.”
More mountain rescue volunteers were on standby in case further help was needed.
“Once we arrived at Ridsdale, we could see that a number of vehicles had become stuck in the snow.” Iain Nixon, team leader from Northumberland national park team said.
“The windchill was significant, probably in the region of -8C to -10C and it was snowing heavily. We used our vehicles to ferry people down to the Gun Inn for some warmth and Northumberland hospitality.
“We’d like to offer our thanks to the owners of the inn and everyone in the local community for their assistance.”
As conditions eased, Northumberland County Council snow ploughs were able to clear the roads and the mountain rescue teams escorted the remaining vehicles back down the A68 to Corbridge and stood down.
“It was 2am when we finally got home for a hot chocolate and good night’s rest.” Iain said.
With more snow forecast this week both for the hills and high roads, both teams are asking members of the public who are venturing out to check the conditions and to make sure that they have the skills for the activity they have planned.
Denise Corkin
07 December 2021Re; Snow on A68 Saturday 4 December 2021.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for the heroes who came to the rescue on the A68 Saturday evening.
I was travelling home from Carlisle on Saturday when the weather conditions changed quickly, I was managing to negotiate the hills however with the weather conditions worsening by the second more and more vehicles were getting stuck on the hills making it impossible to continue.
I would like to say how truly impressed with all aspects of the rescue and how tirelessly they worked to get everyone moving. The calm and professional way everyone involved in the rescue executed their duties that was carried out with precision, discipline, confidence was truly amazing. I was initially filled with fear and dread at the thought that I could be stuck alone all night. However the team soon dispelled any fears I had they made me feel confident I was in safe hands.
Could you please extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved.
They are true Heroes.
Denise Corkin
07 December 2021Re; Snow on A68 Saturday 4 December 2021.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for the heroes who came to the rescue on the A68 Saturday evening.
I was travelling home from Carlisle on Saturday when the weather conditions changed quickly, I was managing to negotiate the hills. However with the weather conditions worsening by the second more and more vehicles becoming stuck on the hills it was impossible to continue.
I would like to say how truly impressed with all aspects of the rescue and how tirelessly they worked to get everyone moving. The calm and professional way everyone involved in the rescue executed their duties that was carried out with precision, discipline, confidence was truly amazing. I was initially filled with fear and dread at the thought that I could be stuck alone all night. However the team soon dispelled any fears I had they made me feel confident I was in safe hands.
Could you please extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved.
They are true Heroes.
Ian512
07 December 2021The use of volunteer Mountain Rescue Teams in 'exceptional circumstances' might slowly lead to it becoming the norm to call on a Rescue Team when non-mountain assistance is required.
After all it must be a great financial saving for the authorities.
An incident a few years back saw the police call on a team to assist a motorist who has become stuck in 6” of snow. Apparently one of the team took his own Land Rover out to get the motorist moving; is this appropriate?
Unintended consequences also have to be considered - how long before a Politician decides that Mountain Rescue should come under the control of Fire and Rescue?