An injured runner was rescued in a nine-hour mission described as one of the most gruelling callouts Galloway Mountain Rescue Team has faced, as Storm Boelo battered Scotland. The volunteer team undertook the operation on Saturday, October 24, after the runner sustained a lower leg injury during an Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) event.
Rescue Amid Severe Weather
Organisers have faced criticism that the two-day 57th OMM at Talnotry in Kirkcudbrightshire was allowed to go ahead despite severe weather warnings. A Met Office yellow wind warning was in place as the event began, before an amber warning came into force as Storm Boelo brought 80mph winds to Scotland.
Rescuers were called shortly after 11am when the runner was injured on Curleywee near Talnotry. HM Coastguard mobilised a rescue helicopter, but with the storm rolling in, it was forced to return to base as conditions deteriorated.
Volunteers and Fellow Runners Assist
Ten volunteers made their way to the scene, arriving at around 3.15pm. Other runners had stopped to help their fellow competitor, with one wrapping a splint around the leg and others helping keep the casualty warm.
After securing the runner in a vacuum mattress with heat packs and a heated torso blanket, the volunteers began the descent through rugged terrain and worsening weather, reaching the bottom of the hill at around 5pm. Seven members of the OMM safety team then assisted with a three-and-a-half hour carry out to meet the Scottish Ambulance Service by the roadside.
Organisers Defend Decision
A spokesperson for Galloway Mountain Rescue Team said: "The team was called out by Police Scotland to assist an injured runner on Curleywee suffering from a lower leg injury. What followed turned into one of the most gruelling callouts our team has faced in recent history."
The spokesperson added: "We want to extend our thanks to everyone who assisted us under such brutal conditions, especially the fellow runners, and the OMM safety team. We are wishing the casualty a very speedy recovery."
Day two of the 57th OMM was altered due to the weather conditions and amber warning, but the event still went ahead. Posting on social media, OMM said: "We’ve adapted Day Two in direct response to the strong winds on high ground as part of the Amber storm warning in place from yesterday evening and through today. Competitors will follow a mandatory course on lower ground from overnight camp back to the Event Centre."
The statement continued: "These changes allow us to retain the two-day journey at the heart of the OMM while keeping teams away from higher, exposed terrain. Our hill team has planned a series of mandatory controls around the forecast conditions, with the safety of competitors and those supporting them, guiding our decisions." OMM, Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service were contacted for comment.
