Sharp increase in mountain rescue callouts in Peak District as lockdown eases

Since the G overnment’s Covid-19 lockdown policy changes on Sunday, May 10, the Peak District Mountain Rescue Organisation (PDMRO) has seen a significant rise in the number of callouts for its volunteers.

The teams from Buxton, Derby, Edale, Glossop, Kinder, Oldham, and Woodhead, along with Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation, were called 37 times from May 18 to May 31, compared with only eight callouts for the same period in 2019, an increase of 362.5 per cent.

The callouts have included five missing vulnerable person searches (three deceased), walkers with lower leg injuries, benighted walkers, unexploded ordnance from World War Two, injured mountain bikers and three climbing accidents (one fatal).

All mountain rescue teams in England are made up entirely of unpaid volunteers who receive no government funding and rely entirely on the donations of the public.

Working to industry standards during the Covid-19 pandemic, the teams are also having to include the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect against the risk of infection.

A Peak District Mountain Rescue Organisation spokesperson said: “This added burden means the addition of extra layers of clothing and equipment, making an already difficult job more challenging.

“You can help us by planning your outings, limiting the risks taken, taking enough provisions including map, compass and torches; wearing the right attire such as footwear and weather-appropriate clothing, not using (or putting out) all open flames, BBQs or discarding used cigarette ends in the countryside, finding your local teams and following them on social media for the latest advice in your area, and of course consider donating to help them continue to provide their services throughout the year.”

If you require the service in an emergency, you can dial 999 or 112 and ask for the police, then mountain rescue.