Emergency response teams reach new heights following latest call-outs in the Scottish Borders
A woman suffered leg injuries after falling 15 feet from a coastal path near St Abbs Head at the weekend.
It was the 6,000th call out for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA).
The charity-funded life-saving service scrambled a helicopter air ambulance from its Perth base to the east coast emergency, landing on the beach at Broadhaven Bay close to the injured holidaymaker.
Working with colleagues from HM Coastguard land and St Abbs independent lifeboat, SCAA paramedics stretchered the woman to the waiting helicopter and airlifted her to specialist care at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh.
Russell Mackay, SCAA’s Operations Support Officer, said: “We’re so pleased SCAA was available to attend for what must have been a painful and anxious experience for the patient and her family.
"Everyone at SCAA wishes her a speedy and full recovery.”
The team were also called out to help a seriously injured mountain biker at Glentress at the weekend, alongside Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team, who - with 38 callouts so far this year - say they are having the busiest first half of the year the Team has ever had.
SCAA launched in 2013 with one Bolkow 105 helicopter and responded to 289 call outs in our first year.
It now operates two bases – at Perth and Aberdeen – with two larger H135 helicopter air ambulances and two Rapid Response Vehicles, crewed by a pool of 12 paramedics and four pilots.
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Russell said: "We have just completed our 11th and busiest year ever with over 1,000 call outs, showing the growing and continuous demand for our life-saving service.
“SCAA will continue to evolve in order to respond to those most seriously ill or injured, in every part of Scotland."
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