Peak rescue by city navy reservists

Jul 26 2007 By Will Oliphant, Birmingham Mail

NAVY reservist from Birmingham carried out a dramatic mountain rescue after they found a man in distress while taking part in an exercise.

The reservists from Birmingham's HMS Forward, based in Bordesley, came across the walker on Mount Snowdon.

The man, who was showing signs of hypothermia, exhaustion and disorientation, had become separated from his group while trying to complete the Three Peaks challenge - climbing England's, Scotland's and Wales' highest mountains in a 24-hour period.

Leading naval nurse Karen Petherick said: "After talking to him you could tell that he just wasn't right and that he was clearly very cold and tired.

"He was also complaining of a sore hip and was finding it difficult to walk and we thought it best just to get him to the bottom as quickly as possible."

In driving rain, hail and poor visibility the group decided to take quick action to help the man.

Jules Morgan, one of HMS Forward's newest recruits and a qualified mountain leader, said: "After our initial conversation I approached him and said we were going to take him down.

"He made no protest at all and was very grateful for the high energy rations and hot drink we provided.

He added: "Helping him down added an extra three hours onto our descent but the outcome was the right one."

After taking some time to recover at the bottom of the mountain, and receiving some minor first aid, the man joined up with the rest of his group who had completed the Snowdon circuit.

Commander James Hayward, HMS Forward's commanding officer, congratulated the team members on their work.

"This team was led by one of HMS Forward's newest recruits, Jules Morgan, and with the exception of him, they had little mountain experience," he said.

"Under his guidance they performed in an exemplary fashion, displaying courage and teamwork of the highest order.

"The successful rescue of this man, under the most challenging of conditions, without a doubt prevented a much more serious situation developing."