09/05/2023
Please take note whilst walking in our beautiful countryside.
A first class response 👏
A hypothermic man who became separated from his friends whilst on a trip to rural Northumberland was brought to safety thanks to persevering officers⛺️
Just after 8am last Thursday, we received a report that a 53-year-old man had knocked on the door of a remote property in Harbottle, Morpeth, appearing dazed and confused.
The kind-hearted occupants of the address suspected the man had been wandering around lost in the surrounding terrain of Barrowburn and Whiteburn Hills all night, and they invited him inside whilst assistance was sought.
However, within just a few minutes, the male’s condition deteriorated and the couple re-contacted emergency services stating he required immediate medical attention.
We contacted colleagues at North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust who dispatched a community paramedic to the scene, but due to the secluded nature of the area, the route was inaccessible to the vehicle the they were travelling in.
🚨North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team were contacted, quickly dispatching a vehicle en-route from Rothbury to assist.
However, only five minutes later, police officers in a specialist 4x4 vehicle scooped up the paramedic and transported them directly to the scene to treat the man straightaway.
During the process of being treated for his condition, the man indicated he had become separated from two of his friends overnight, however he was not aware of their exact location.
After an extensive search by unwavering cops using their all-terrain vehicle, the man was reunited with his two missing friends just after 2.30pm – where they were able to safety make their way home back to the Newcastle area.
A great result for all those involved as things could have ended tragically.
A huge thanks to the Good Samaritans who assisted the man in his time of need – without their help we have no doubt the man would have become seriously ill, or even worse.
It is wonderful for our rural communities to know we are all working together and are on hand to respond in your time of need.
We would ask anyone who goes walking, hiking, or exploring in the most rural and remote areas of our region to always do their due diligence and familiarise themselves with their surroundings before embarking on such a trip.
📲Whether you’re exploring new terrain, or you’ve been there before, please consider taking precautions such as downloading what3words, letting someone know exactly where you’re planning on going, or even buying a satellite phone for emergencies.