UKC

On 1st April the UK's search and rescue helicopter service begins a transition to Bristow Helicopters Ltd. Mountain rescue expert Heavy Whalley looks back fondly at the key part played by Sea Kings and their crews in decades of search and rescue operations.

Read more at http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=7241

In reply to UKC Articles:

What a great article celebrating the skill and bravery of some proper heroes. I've always been glad I've never required the services of MRT but now I'm almost saddened never to have had the experience of hitching a ride in the big yellow taxi!

In reply to UKC Articles:

Two weeks ago I slipped while descending the back of my local crag. I knew immediately that my right leg was broken and we called 999. The air ambulance flew around for a while and eventually first responders arrived who administered excellent, reassuring care. After a lot of faffing about by a specialist paramedic team, who decided after carrying out a 'risk assessment' that the footpath that many elderly people manage to walk their dogs along was too dangerous for members of their team. At this point I was beginning to become very cold and increasingly worried. The local rescue team was there by this point but for whatever reason wasn't allowed or were unable to carry out a stretcher evacuation. About four hours had elapsed since the accident by this time and my climbing partner told me that a Sea King was on its way from RAF Chivenor. In no time at all a winch man had been dropped in the river below the main crag at the Dewerstone and was talking to me. I hadn't even imagined that a winch rescue might be possible in such dense woodland. The winch man organised me being moved to the very edge of the river. We then swung out over the river and straight up through a tiny hole in the tree canopy.

Within minutes I was being transferred to an ambulance and then on to casualty. The service that the Sea Kings and their crews perform is amazing and I really do feel grateful for the professional and skilful way that they carry out their vital job. I hope that the service provided under the new system is just as good.

Does anyone have experience of sending a slab of beer to a Sea King crew and what is the easiest way of doing this?

James (Recovering from surgery at home)

In reply to james mann:


It may be a bit late now if they stopped operating, but what i did was to find out where the crew hang out and i put a tab for them at the bar with a thank you note.

In reply to UKC Articles:

Working as a coastguard in Pembroke, I've seen a variety of helicopters responding to emergencies - Sea Kings, air ambulance and police helicopter. I have to say, it's noticeable that when a Sea King responds there is a strong smell of aviation fuel in the air that's not there for the other two helicopters so maybe it is time for them to be retired.

However, I well remember an accident that two friends of mine were involved in 25 years ago or so. The leader fell off on the second pitch of Deep Throat on Triple Overhang Buttress in Pembroke, taking a hundred foot factor 2 fall onto the belay. He didn't hit anything, but when he hit the bottom of the rope the rope wrapped round his thigh, and he couldn't walk for a week. His second soloed out along the VS line to summon help, and a Sea King turned up. By this time it was dark, and when the winch man was lowered the cliff was so overhanging that he was a good 20 feet away from the climber. The pilot rocked the helicopter from side to side to swing the winch man in, so that he could rescue the climber.

In reply to UKC Articles:

My dad was a Sea King SAR pilot out of Lossie in the late 80s - I'll always remember being crouched under the pressure of the backwash after he was rescued (again) on (another) family walk along the Scottish coast (the crews did a lot of practsing on one another as well as flying out to help us). Or flying with Mum on a squadron open day (she never got to fly with Dad - the RAF were too nervous of creating orphans). To me, his best story was when they trimmed the radio antenna on a North Sea oil rig whilst taking off a member of the crew who had acute appendicitis in a storm. Magic stuff.

Long live the memory of everyone who has flown, worked with or been helped by a big yellow taxi.

In reply to james mann:

Chivenor aren't ending till October (ish) so I'm sure a slab of beer would be very welcome.

In reply to Daysleeper:

Thanks very much for that info.

James

I had a fall recently that required rescue by SAR from RAF Boulmer. The guys were beyond amazing, their flying skills are truly world class. (I work offshore so am well used to choppers, the RAF SAR are in their own league!!)

I emailed the station telling them I was on way to recovery and thanking them for their excellent service, attitude and skills. I got a lovely reply from the winchman and an invite to visit the base once I was able! I am 2 weeks from getting my cast off so hope to be able to go and thank them in person and was planning to take a slab of beer with me!!

Even just an email, everyone likes to be thanked for a job well done but this seldom happens these days.

I wish you a speedy recovery.