Big thank-you to the lifesavers

Phil Beard

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A courageous hero of the snows who survived a 60ft fall is launching a mammoth fund-raising effort in praise of colleagues who saved his life.

Eight months ago, Phil Beard, one of Oldham Mountain Rescue Team’s longest-serving members, received appalling injuries after plummeting during a training exercise.

The full force of the rescue services were mobilised after Phil (60), from Uppermill, was critically injured at Upperwood Quarry, near Dovestone.

He was treated immediately at the scene by his colleagues prior to being transported by air ambulance to the intensive care unit at Salford Royal Infirmary where he spent several hours fighting for his life.

His devastating catalogue of injuries included 26 fractures, the most serious in his neck, back and pelvis. He was then treated at Wigan’s Royal Albert Hospital.

Phil had two metal rods inserted into his spine to hold a crushed vertebrae in place and plates were used to reform his shattered pelvis.

Now in a personal tribute to the local team and North-West Air Ambulance, the lionhearted father-of-two plans to swim 100 lengths of Saddleworth Pool on Sunday, September 6.

Once on the road to recovery, Phil — famed for his dry sense of humour — recorded his thoughts and emotions for his mountain rescue “family”. In it, Phil dismisses his horrendous fall as “a test of gravity” and reflects: “I’ve been back to visit the scene and luckily I actually landed between two mighty boulders. It could have been a very different story.”

Phil was later transferred to a another hospital where his pelvis was repaired.

“They did a lovely job, no scaffolding on the outside, just two plates on the inside and slight relief at last, although I was still dependent on morphine for the pain,” said Phil.

“I became very emotional, which as anyone who knows can testify just isn’t me. I wasn’t feeling sorry for myself, I have never done and will never do that.

“I just felt sorry and emotional for my family and all those involved in my rescue.

“Those who saw me disappear and fly past — they couldn’t do anything but watch — just like all those who saw me land with a thud.

“I thought of those who superbly cared and treated me and helped watch over my family.

“My thoughts were with all these people. You never expect to be dealing with one of your own team.”

And in a special tribute to his stalwart wife, Wendy, he said proudly: “She’s the best nurse in the world.”

Phil has been in Mountain Rescue since his days as an Air Cadet, is a mainstay of OMRT, with vast professional experience of working at heights. He runs a business as an independent trainer of emergency services and the military.

The team’s respected doctor, Andrew Taylor, said: “It’s a tribute to Phil’s pre-existing fitness, his unstoppable optimism and the sheer hard graft he has put into his recovery that he is as remarkably well and active as we see him today.

“None of his doctors, nurses or therapists expected the speed or extent of recovery Phil forged for himself.

“He says he’s not there yet - but working hard on it. This one-mile swim attempt is typical of his generosity and his can-do attitude.”

Matt Torr, OMRT’s chairman, said: “A few weeks ago the team were back training in Upperwood for the first time since the accident.

“It was great to see Phil active again and we all managed to lay a few demons to rest.”

To make a donation in support of Phil’s effort, visit www.justgiving.com/teams/PB-OMRT-NWAA.