Fall dad goes great lengths

Phil Beard

A DETERMINED dad who survived a 60ft fall will keep a promise to the team that saved his life this weekend.

Despite devastating injuries, Phil Beard — one of Oldham Mountain Rescue Team’s longest-serving members — will take to the water in a solo one-mile swim to raise funds for the team.

Phil (60), from Uppermill, was critically injured at Upperwood Quarry, near Greenfield, during a training exercise.

His injuries included a fractured pelvis, and he had two metal rods inserted into his spine to hold a crushed vertebrae in place. His shattered spine was stabilised with a collar, a wrist was in plaster and he had 26 fractures.

Now in a personal tribute to OMRT and North-West Air Ambulance, the father-of-one will attempt to swim 100 lengths of Saddleworth Pool on Sunday.

He said: “I’m up for the challenge. The team, medics and everyone in the community have been wonderfully supportive. People have come up to me and pressed cash into my hands and collection boxes across the community have been filled with donations.”

And Phil’s magnificent fightback, first revealed in the Chronicle, was featured in a BBC “North West Tonight” programme highlighting the stalwart work of mountain rescue teams across the region.

“I just plan to get in the pool and crawl,” he added. “I’ve been promised plenty of support from the team, friends and well-wishers.”

At the time, Dr Andrew Taylor, the team’s medic, praised Phil, who has been in mountain rescue since his days as an Air Cadet, and is a mainstay of OMRT.

Said Dr Taylor: “It is a tribute to Phil’s pre-existing fitness, unstoppable optimism and sheer hard graft he has put into his recovery that he is as we see him today. This one-mile swim attempt is typical of his generosity and his can-do attitude.”

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