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‘Huge relief’ as walker on Skye found with leg injury after being out on open hillside in 95mph winds for two nights

Air and land searches are being conducted on Skye to search for the missing walker. Image: Supplied.
Air and land searches are being conducted on Skye to search for the missing walker. Image: Supplied.

A walker was found alive after suffering a lower leg injury and being immobile on the open hillside above Loch Coruisk in Skye during Storm Otto for two nights.

Dr John Pike from Bristol was found “cold but alert” after enduring 95mph hour winds and low temperatures.

The 61-year-old was last seen leaving his accommodation in Portree at around 8.30am on Thursday morning but never returned.

The B&B host raised the alarm after Mr Pike failed to check out as planned. When the host went to the room Mr Pike was staying in and realised all his kit was still there he realised something wasn’t right and contacted the emergency services.

Land and air search efforts began on Friday morning as officers attempted to locate Mr Pike.

Coastguard rescue helicopter 948 from Stornoway was searching from the skies above, as Skye Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) and members of Portree, Kyle and Dunvegan coastguard teams assisted police on the ground.

In total, more than 50 volunteers and professionals were involved.

At one point, rescuers were as close as 164ft away from Mr Pike but it was getting dark, he had fallen and the wind silenced their calls.

‘Weather returned with a vengeance’

According to James Stevenson the deputy leader of Skye Mountain Rescue Team, Mr Pike is in “good spirits” while awaiting an operation on his hip.

Talking on BBC’s Good Morning Scotland on Monday, he said: “Where he was found was very open hillside, there weren’t even any boulders to shelter behind or anything.

“It was quite remarkable, it must have been quite an experience.

“Through Friday, the weather was ok, there was a cold wind blowing and it was just above freezing.

“The Saturday was a glorious day, it started off absolutely beautiful and clouded over a little bit later on. We knew that good weather was our opportunity to get loads of troops on the ground to find him because the weather returned with a vengeance on Sunday.”

Mr Stevenson added: “He’s got a great story to tell whenever he’s ready to share it.”

We are pleased to report that our ongoing search for the missing hillwalker, Dr John Pike, came to a successful…

Posted by Skye Mountain Rescue Team SCIO on Saturday, 18 February 2023

Endured 95mph wind speeds

A Skye Mountain Rescue Team spokesman wrote on Facebook: “We are pleased to report that our ongoing search for the missing hillwalker, Dr John Pike, came to a successful conclusion this morning.

“Dr Pike, who had become immobilised after suffering a lower leg injury on Thursday, had endured two nights on the open hillside above Loch Coruisk.

“On Thursday night, a wind speed of 95 mph was recorded nearby during storm Otto.

“Last night temperatures plummeted, and there was fresh snow on the hills. So it was with huge relief that we found him cold, but alert around 10:30am.”

He continued: “Once again, we were supported by our neighbours, Kintail MRT with substantial back up being provided by RAF Lossiemouth MRT, newly formed North Police MRT, SARDA Southern Scotland, Coastguard Helicopter R948, Mallaig Lifeboat, Police Scotland search team and dog handlers along with local Coastguard teams.

“In total more than 50 volunteers and professionals were involved.

“We would like to wish Dr Pike a speedy recovery and thank everyone involved in the search and rescue.”

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