Police issue safety appeal to hill-walkers

Police are urging hillwalkers to take proper safety precautions following a number of recent rescues.
Suitable footwear, weather appropriate clothing and plenty of water are essential when walking on Scotland's hills and mountains.Suitable footwear, weather appropriate clothing and plenty of water are essential when walking on Scotland's hills and mountains.
Suitable footwear, weather appropriate clothing and plenty of water are essential when walking on Scotland's hills and mountains.

With beauty spots reopening to the public, officers have had to deal with issues including traffic management, illegal camping and antisocial behaviour. Police have also been required to help find and rescue people from hills, cliffs and other remote locations.

On Thursday, July 9, police and Mountain Rescue in Stirlingshire were called out after an 18-year-old man from Glasgow fell and sustained an ankle injury near the summit of Ben A’an. He was given medical assistance before being airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

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The following day, a 30-year-old man, from Ayrshire, was found collapsed on Ben Ledi near Callander. Police and Killin Mountain Rescue attended and the man was taken by helicopter to Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnck.

The same day, a 25-year old man, from Edinburgh, also required an airlift to hospital after falling and sustaining an ankle injury descending Ben Lomond.

On Saturday, July 11, a 56-year-old Glasgow man fell and hurt his ankle while descending from Ben Venue. Lomond Mountain Rescue found the man in the Ledard Glen area and he was taken by ambulance from the forest before being taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Chief Inspector Gill Marshall, Local Area Commander for Stirling, said: “It is essential that hill-walkers and those venturing out into the hills take the appropriate steps to keep themselves, and others with them safe.

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“Suitable footwear, weather appropriate clothing and plenty of water are essential, while you should always carry your mobile phone with you in the event of an emergency. Please also tell people where you are going and when you intend to be back, so that they can raise the alarm if you fail to return.

“Over the past few days we have been incredibly grateful for the vital assistance and support of our mountain rescue teams. These individuals bring with them extensive levels of experience and a range of resources that aid in the recovery of people injured or stranded on hillsides.

“I would encourage anyone who is intending to explore our local beauty spots, or try some hillwalking to follow the guidance available on the Scottish Mountain Rescue website and social media channels.

“The public visiting other popular visitor attractions are also once again reminded to take cognisance of the existing guidance and regulations and make sure their visits to these locations do not result in damage, littering or other offences.”

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