CALLOUT 08 – Call to assist casualty near River Ribble

At approximately 12 noon yesterday 17/3/24 the team were called out by the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust to reports of a lady who had a suspected broken ankle on the River Ribble.

The location was familiar to many of the team as it was just upstream from a popular site where we do some of our water training. Due to the recent rainfall, the ground was soaked through and boggy was an understatement.

Mobile 1 and 2 responded with backup from our colleagues at Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team (BPMRT).

On arrival to the RV, members hastily made their way some 800+m upstream to find a small group out for the day and a lady having slipped in the mud in pain.

After an initial assessment and further kit requests with more personnel, the casualty carers on the scene administered pain relief and splinted the ankle.

Once settled, everyone teamed together and using our specialist ‘big wheel’ to aid the stretcher carry, we provided over land some 800m to meet the ambulance at the road head and do a handover.

We wish the lady a speedy recovery from all the team at both RPMRT and BPMRT.

It was then back to base to clean down the kit, restock vehicles and then back home to the family and weekend plans.