Rescue team race to waterfall drama at Birchen Clough

The rescue team tend to the casualty close to the waterfall in Birchen Clough

Two mountain rescue teams were involved in a nail-biting rescue drama at a Saddleworth beauty spot after police received reports that a man had fallen into water.

Just before lunchtime on Wednesday, the team from Oldham Mountain Rescue were requested to help by GMP after the exact location of the casualty was uncertain because of poor phone signals.

After a short search of likely spots by a rescue vehicle, the casualty was located close to the waterfall in Birchen Clough.

OMRT had a team Casualty Carer on scene, who was able to assess the male as having possible spinal injuries.

And, due to the potential seriousness of his injuries, helicopter assistance was requested from the Marine and Coastguard Agency with their winching capability.

The casualty was treated and packaged in an immobilising vacuum mattress on the OMRT stretcher before being winched into the helicopter and flown to Greenfield Reservoir for transfer to a waiting North West Ambulance  Service ambulance.

Said an OMRT spokesperson: "Huge thanks to the passers-by who administered immediate first aid and stayed with the casualty until help arrived, and also to Holme Valley MRT, who we contacted to assist with the helicopter landing site.“

Eighteen OMRT and eight HVMRT personnel were involved for three hours and 40 minutes.

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