Father and son rescued from Cheviots after suffering heat exhaustion
It's prompted a warning from Border Search and Rescue Unit...
Last updated 12th Aug 2024
A father and son had to be rescued from the Cheviot Hills after suffering heat exhaustion during a camping trip at the weekend.
The pair, aged 54 and 17, had set off from Morebattle on Saturday.
But their water ran low by mid-afternoon on Sunday, after going over the 605 metre summit of The Schil, and the father became unwell.
Vomiting, and dipping in and out of consciousness, his son called 999.
Border Search and Rescue Unit were scrambled to the scene, from their base in Kelso, around 2pm.
Two of the volunteers borrowed quad bikes from neighbouring farms at Cocklawfoot and Sourhope to help reach the pair on the ridge, along the Scotland-England border.
Heatstroke - the team warns - is a serious and often under-rated condition, and can, without prompt intervention, lead to organ-failure and even death.
In between times, two passing walkers had come across the stricken party and tried to help by offering water from their own dwindling supply, and filtering some more from a "rather murky" source nearby.
By the time the first help arrived from Border Search and Rescue Unit, the teenager had also started to suffer from the effects of the sun and was deteriorating.
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They were supported soon after by their colleagues, and members of the neighbouring Northumberland Mountain Rescue, and a shelter was erected to provide shade and start rehydration.
The dry ground had allowed their LandRover to within 50 metres of the casualties and, as their condition began to improve, the decision was made to evacuate them in the vehicles rather than summon a helicopter.
The rescue's led to a warning to anyone venturing into the hills not to underestimate the effects of the heat.
BSARU team leader Duncan Buchanan said: "We're all mountain enthusaists in the team, and we encourage the public to enjoy the hills and find adventure in our wonderful local environment. In the summer, be sure to take a sun hat, sun-screen, PLENTY of water, enough food to keep you fuelled for the duration of your expedition, and a little more besides. Importantly, have a realistic idea of the fitness and capabilities of every member of the party.
"Another underestimated hazard in the summer is ticks. They seem to be having a bit of a carnival this year, and one BSARU member picked up eight in a single outing on Sunday morning. If you’ve been out in bracken, heather and long grass, check yourself over.”
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