Helmsley Rescue

Wednesday 9th September 2020. It is perhaps appropriate on what is Emergency Services Day that a call-out we had on this day was a fine example of joint working between the various services in North Yorkshire.

We were called at 1559 hours by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service to a report of a woman who had fallen into the River Rye just outside Helmsley. She had been walking with her husband when she slipped and fell down some banking and steps into the river. Although her husband managed to get her out she needed medical attention having been in the water and as she had sustained lower leg injuries. A number of Team members and one of our Land Rover ambulances were deployed. North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service and North Yorkshire Police were also sent.

After being treated at the scene the woman was lifted onto one of our specialist mountain rescue stretchers and carried across the river, up the banking and some steps to the waiting ambulance. The ‘stretcher carry’ was a joint effort between Team members, police officers and the fire & rescue service – so many thanks to everyone involved. Once in the YAS ambulance the woman was taken to hospital for further assessment and treatment.

21 Cleveland MRT members were involved (plus one co-ordinating remotely) with others en route. The incident lasted approximately 1 hour 30 minutes plus additional travelling time back to our Base and our members’ various homes – all ready to be out and about that evening for one of our regular Wednesday night training sessions!