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Mountain rescue volunteer takes school bus after car won’t start for call-out

The dedicated volunteer was determined to reach the Highland peak to provide help by any means necessary.

Looking out over Glencoe with small team of mountain rescue volunteers visible in scenery.
The mountain rescue team volunteer still faced a long climb even after reaching the scene by school bus. Image: Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team

A Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team rescuer hopped aboard a school bus to help a hillwalker who fell.

The team was alerted after a walker injured their back while descending Sgurr na h-Ulaidh.

Help was immediately scrambled with a helicopter, specialist all-terrain vehicle, pick-up truck all called to the rescue.

However, after one Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team (GMR) volunteer’s car would not start, they took to the local school bus to still try and provide assistance.

The dedication of the team member has been praised by the team on social media.

Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team's all-terrain vehicle on-location in hills.
The all-terrain vehicle was amongst the specialist equipment used in the rescue. Image: Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team

A statement read: “A variety of vehicles were used in this rescue, including one of our four-wheel drive vans, the 6×6 all-terrain vehicle, a 4×4 pickup truck, and obviously the helicopter, all as you would expect.

“However, in what may be a first, one volunteer reached the rescue after getting on the school bus when their car wouldn’t start.

“Fortunately, the rescue was complete when they arrived, but they were still prepared to head up the hill if needed.

“The above is just one small example of the dedication shown by GMR volunteers.”

What happened to hillwalker after mountain rescue in Glencoe?

While the mountain rescue team member made their way to the scene on the school bus, efforts were under way to rescue the hillwalker.

Due to the low cloud and the person’s back injury, efforts were made to reach them on foot despite the helicopter being called.

Helicopter barely visible through thick cloud next to mountain.
The team battled treacherous conditions during the operation. Image: Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team

The first Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team volunteers reach them shortly after a paramedic was lowered to the scene and it was decided the rest of the team, including the person on the school bus, could be stood down.

The hillwalker was winched into the helicopter and airlifted to hospital for treatment.

Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team has praised the “breath taking” skill of the helicopters for flying in such difficult conditions close to the mountain.

Despite the poor visibility they also winched two volunteers and some equipment off the hill.

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