Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue came to the assistance of two seriously injured mountain bikers at Innerleithen during a spate of incidents over three days.
The first call out occurred on Saturday, June 18th at 10.15am. The rescue team were notified of a rider who had suffered injuries to his head and face, and potentially been knocked unconscious after coming off his bike – putting him their 'high risk' category. The volunteer service were rapidly on-scene and administering care to the casualty on the lower part of the Matador trail within 30 minutes. After providing initial first aid, the rescue team then took the rider to the waiting ambulance which departed for Borders General Hospital.
Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue were called out again later that same day to a 33-year-old man who'd suffered chest and side injuries after crashing his mountain bike and hitting a rock. Shortly after being mobilized, the team was stood down though as the paramedics in attendance had managed to reach the casualty and were able to walk him to the ambulance.
The next rescue incident took place on Tuesday, June 21st at 1.32pm The team were called to the aid of another seriously injured mountain biker who had injuries to his shoulder and back, along with breathing difficulties. The rescue team provided initial first aid to the rider then took him to an awaiting ambulance who got him off to hospital for further treatment.
Later on June 21st at 6.36pm, Tweed Valley were called to assist a gravel rider who had crashed towards the end of the first day of the Rapha Pennine Rally and suffered a dislocated shoulder as result.
Four call-outs within three days is highly unusually for the volunteer rescue service who usually attend around 40 incidents a year. However, 2021 saw that number double to over 80 as increasing numbers of people took to the outdoors during lockdown and in the months that followed.
Wherever you're riding, ensure you tell someone where you're going and when you expect to be back. When out on the trails, having a good idea of where you are at all times is vital so you can give a precise location (an OS grid reference is best) in case of injury to yourself or others.
Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue is a volunteer service funded through charitable donations, if you'd like to make a contribution, please go to their Just Giving page.
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