Grimsby Telegraph 21-2-2011
An article printed in the Grimsby Telegraph covering our work with East Midland Ambulace Service during Decembers bad weather
Monday, February 21, 2011, 09:00
Search And Rescue team flat out to
reach those in need
READY AND WAITING: From left, Yorkshire And Lincolnshire Search And Rescue team vice-chairman Paul Scott, chairman Brett Gutteridge and Browny Bown with the one of the unit's 4x4 vehicles.
THE term "search and rescue" is normally associated with mountains and the volunteers who go out in all weathers in search of mountain walkers who have fallen or got lost in Snowdonia or the Lake District.
Not anymore. The Yorkshire And Lincolnshire Search And Rescue team (YALSAR) is up and running and serving the Wolds.
The team was formed a year ago, but came to prominence in December when its 4x4 vehicles came in handy during the snowy weather.
Chairman Brett Gutteridge said: "We are mountain rescue without the mountains.
“Our major work is in the Wolds, but our bases are in Lincoln and Doncaster. In the four days at the height of the blizzards in November and December, we covered 1,560 miles in two vehicles.
"We respond to category A 999 calls, which are the most serious.
"In December, a 78-year-old lady slipped on ice in the Wolds north of Louth. The normal ambulance could not get there due to the roads being blocked, so we answered an emergency call and our vehicle with the team made it. She was taken to Lincoln County Hospital with a broken hip.
Mr Gutteridge said: "A second incident involved a stroke victim in the Barnetby area.
"The nearest ambulance was at Brigg. It also could not get there, but we did, and thankfully within the crucial hour."
Happily, that patient is also now recovering.
Another major role for the team is looking for missing children, elderly people, and vulnerable adults. YALSAR was formed in April last year and is made up entirely of volunteers.
Mr Gutteridge said: "Sponsors and volunteer fundraisers are needed as well, as are donations to keep the support group going." The team is available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
Mr Gutteridge is urging the local communities in the Wolds to be aware of the team and support them.
For more information, visit www.yalsar.co.uk.
Post your comment
Comments
No one has commented on this page yet.
RSS feed for comments on this page | RSS feed for all comments
