A few days ago I happened to write about the rescue services which serve us here in the Hebrides. On Saturday I was suddenly shaken by a helicopter flying low directly over the house. Any helicopter makes considerable air pressure waves and they are even more obvious if you are directly underneath. So I grabbed the camera and went outside. The chopper was flying across the valley and I saw that it was flying towards a group of people which included ambulance personnel.
The unfortunate casualty had been in an accident involving one of her horses (I assume that she'd been riding it). The incident took 10 minutes from beginning to end (first to last photo).
They acted very quickly and I hope that managed to help the injured person. You really did get a nice view of it all and some dramatic shots.
ReplyDeleteA matter of me being in a particular place at a particular time Mersad. Our emergency services are very good.
DeleteExcellent. You have all the best equipment. No old Sea Kings for you. I think this is the new Bristow operated Sikorsky S92.
ReplyDeleteBe worth falling off a horse for a ride in one.
No, Adrian. It wouldn't. Trust me (experto crede).
DeleteThey are indeed S92s Adrian. There are, I believe, two based here and two in Sumburgh.
DeleteHm. This post is a bit near the bone for me, on several levels. Fairfax loathes helicopters, and goes mad when they fly too low (the army from Salisbury Plain like to practise just over where we ride). Also, injured riders - about whom I know a certain amount - are not infrequently rescued by the local Air Ambulance.
ReplyDeleteA very good photographic account, though. Are there many horses on your island?
There are a lot of horses on the Island Frances. In fact I saw a field today with a good 20 or so in it. The lady who was being airlifted to hospital has had a few falls and, I understand, broken her back at least once too. When I think about it I was very lucky when I had my fall.
DeleteGood series of pictures, telling a story in themselves. Except for the horse part. I don't think I'd been able to guess a horse was involved... (Did you see it?)
ReplyDeleteWell I guessed it Monica but it was a reasonably educated guess knowing that there are horses kept on those crofts.
DeletePretty nice to have very competent people come to the rescue.
ReplyDeleteIt gives one comfort and confidence Red.
DeleteGod bless these people who put their lives on the line for all of us. I've had to call emergency a couple of times (ground, not helicopter), and have always been absolutely astonished at how quickly they respond.
ReplyDeleteYes DeeDee seeing some of the disasters in recent years where there have been no emergency services or where nono could get to stricken area makes one realise just how fortunate we are and how much we take for granted.
DeleteWell worth the noise to get those shots, GB. Amazing that they can fly in, gather up a patient and be gone again so quickly. That's efficiency, you are fortunate to have such a service.
ReplyDeleteWe are Pauline. They practice for hours picking up and hovering in gale force winds on the little islands and rock faced in front of the house.
DeleteHope she'll be okay...thank goodness the rescue team arrived quickly to take care of her.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too Virginia. I haven't heard any news.
DeleteWhat a dramatic group of photos. You must have a super camera to get that kind of resolution at a distance! I do hope the unfortunate person who was injured will make a good and fast recovery.
ReplyDeleteJenny it's a Canon SX50HS bridge camera. The lens is equivalent of a 600mm lens on a 35mm. I hope she recovers quickly too.
DeleteNow that is a dramatic rescue; I hope the lady is ok, and her horse too.
ReplyDeleteYes, Terra, I hope so too.
Delete