MOUNTAIN rescue volunteers raced to help a seriously injured walker who had fallen while high up in Alva Glen at the weekend.

Members of the Ochils MRT were carrying out maintenance at their rescue base when the call for assistance came in just before 2pm on Sunday, October 27.

A fast party was immediately deployed onto the hill track to drive to a location above the casualty’s position.

Meanwhile, other team members arrived at the bottom of the clen and deployed on foot up the hill.

The fast party then descended the steep side of the glen to reach the walker, who had sustained what OMRT’s secretary, Ross MacIntyre, described as a “serious lower leg injury”.

This was treated on scene by team medics, and the casualty was then placed in a stretcher for transportation.

However, a decision was then taken to request assistance from an air ambulance, due to the location of the casualty and the discomfort that a long stretcher journey would cause.

The walker was extracted by a helicopter, which had been sent from Inverness, and then airlifted to Ninewells Hospital.

In a message on social media, OMRT staff thanked the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for their excellent flying, and wished the casualty a speedy recovery.

Ross was also keen to pass on the message to all Wee County hillwalkers to be prepared as the colder and darker weather draws near.

He told the Advertiser: “The casualty [on Sunday] was well prepared, and we’d encourage everyone to have warm clothing and a torch with a spare set of batteries – to make sure they don’t get caught out.”

Other essentials to take when hillwalking include a first aid kit, a watch, mobile phone and plenty of water.

To find out more advice about hillwalking, visit tinyurl.com/yyqvt4qw