Category: Rescue

Vehicles used to rescue people or property

Mountain Rescue

C134 RSO Braemar Mountain Rescue Team Kassbohrer


C134 RSO
Braemar Mountain Rescue Team
Kassbohrer

After nearly four decades of unwavering service, the Braemar Mountain Rescue Team retired its beloved rescue vehicle, affectionately known as “”Old Flex”” in December 2024. Since 1985, this six-tonne tracked vehicle has been a vital asset in some of the most challenging mountain rescue operations, navigating snowbound terrain and treacherous weather to bring help where it was most needed.

Powered by its 6.1 litre diesel engine, “Old Flex” earned its place in history by assisting in high-profile rescues, including the aftermath of the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and the recovery operation following an F-15 crash on Ben Macdhui. Alongside these momentous events, the vehicle played a key role in countless other rescues, becoming a reassuring presence for stranded climbers, hillwalkers, and the rescuers themselves.

Equipped with caterpillar treads, Old Flex’s ability to traverse snowbound peaks made it indispensable during harsh winters when conventional vehicles faltered. It has supported not only the Braemar team but also neighbouring rescue teams.

Now retired, Old Flex will spend its days at the Glenshee Ski Centre.

The Braemar Mountain Rescue Team continues its work with a newer generation of rescue vehicles, including Old Flex’s “wee sister,” which has been in service since 2006. Yet, for those who relied on her during emergencies or admired her tenacity in the snow, Old Flex will remain a legend.

Search and Rescue

XE317 RAF Bristol Sycamore HR14

XE317
RAF
Bristol Sycamore HR14
This rescue helicopter, based on a 1940s design, served at RAF Thornaby in Teesside and in Norther Ireland. It has a 1,000 lb payload and can accommodate three passengers

Search and Rescue

Border Search and Rescue The line up of vehicles at the rescue base ..

Border Search and Rescue
The line up of vehicles at the rescue base in Kelso. The base is a garage with three doors and is no longer suitable for us by the service. There are no toilet facilities, the vehicles only just fit in and there is very limited storage space for equipment. Other equipment is stored at another site one mile away which slows down response times to rescue calls. They are currently fundraising £450k for a new purpose built base that will meet the needs of the organisation.

Search and Rescue

SN06 DYW Border Search and Rescue Land Rover Defender

SN06 DYW
Border Search and Rescue
Land Rover Defender
Based at Kelso, Scotland. The team respond to call outs made via the police to searches in the Scottish Borders. Working on the boundary between two countries brings its unique challenges, such as identifying which side of the border a found body was on (and therefore which police service will investigate it) and working with neighbouring North of Tyne SAR who are under the Mountain Rescue England and Wales umbrella rather than the Scottish equivalent.

Mountain Rescue

PF17 BBU Keswick Mountain Rescue Team Mercedes Sprinter 4×4

PF17 BBU
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team
Mercedes Sprinter 4×4
Incident Support Vehicle. Used to carry a small rescue boat and related equipment. The van seats three people and replaces the need for a boat on a trailer to be towed by one of the Land Rovers, freeing it up to attend other incidents.

Mountain Rescue

CX61 AYG Keswick Mountain Rescue Team Mercedes Sprinter 4×4

CX61 AYG
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team
Mercedes Sprinter 4×4
This minibus has good off-road capabilities and can transport people as well as equipment as some of the seats have been removed. Notice the key safe on the rear so the vehicle can be accessed by other team members when the driver is up a mountain.

Search and Rescue

G-MCGE HM Coastguard Sikorsky S-92A

G-MCGE
HM Coastguard
Sikorsky S-92A
The Bristow-operated Coastguard helicopter is seen here rescuing a gentlemen from the roof of a cathedral. After lowering a medic and a stretcher the man in winched up into the helicopter that is hovering over the Minster in York, drawing large crowds. The narrow spiral staircases taking visitors to the roof of the buidling are not suitable for stretchering someone down. The Coastguard provide search and rescue helicopters for the whole country and practice every few years winching someone off the roof of York Minster.

Mountain Rescue

CN66 ERZ RAF Isuzu D-Max

CN66 ERZ
RAF
Isuzu D-Max
Based at RAF Valley. Each of the vehicle has not a fleet number but a mountain name shown, this one is Tryfan. Other Valley vehicle names are Glyder and Cnicht.

Search and Rescue

G-BEXJ Channel Islands Air Search Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander

G-BEXJ
Channel Islands Air Search
Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander
This aircraft is a temporary replacement for the damaged Islander G-CIAS. A permanent replacement is due in Summer/Autumn 2017. The original aircraft was damaged beyond repair in an emergency landing due to engine problems in November 2013. The yellow rear wing was salvaged and attached to this temporary replacement. Only basic SAR equipment is fitted to this Islander, with a lot more emphasis on looking out of the windows rather than at screens.

Mountain Rescue

SM66 KJV Tweed Valley MRT Mercedes Sprinter

SM66 KJV
Tweed Valley MRT
Mercedes Sprinter
Incident Control Unit. New in December 2016, the vehicle has been custom built for the team. Inside is a briefing area, tv/monitor screen, 3 workstations and a printer. The vehicle has two VHF radios as well as a duel SIM Card router to create a permanent WiFi hotspot within the vehicle. Mounted in the vehicle is a 10m electronic mast will caries the VHF aerial. In the rear is a welfare area for MRT personnel which include a hot water boiler, hand wash station and microwave.

Search and Rescue

BV57 RNE York Rescue Boat Ford Transit

BV57 RNE
York Rescue Boat
Ford Transit
Operational Command Unit, providing a mobile base for the water rescue crew.

The vehicle seen before entering service, with the remains of its previous livery from National Grid

Mountain Rescue

YN15 GSZ Buxton MRT Ford Transit Mobile Incident Control and

YN15 GSZ
Buxton MRT
Ford Transit
Mobile Incident Control and Response vehicle. This is 4×4 Transit with mini office in the rear. It can carry a casualty if required and is based at Buxton fire station. In addition to the comms equipment, it has mapping facilities, voice recorders, incident response equipment, hot drinks and food. It cost £53,000 when it entered service in August 2015 and this was met entirely from donations.

Mines Rescue

KKU 655P National Coal Board Mines Rescue Atkinson Borderer

KKU 655P National Coal Board Mines Rescue Atkinson Borderer with Rolls Royce engine. After seeing many years of active service, the vehicle was restored and is now in preservation and is displayed around the country. Different trailers can be attached, such as an emergency winder or low loader vehicle carrier.

Search and Rescue

SG15 AED Surrey SAR VW Amarok Lowland Rescue vehicle. This

SG15 AED Surrey SAR VW Amarok Lowland Rescue vehicle. This 2015 4×4 replaces their old Land Rover Defender. The car is suited to travelling across the county on normal roads but also has good off road capability where required. A fold-down screen in the Truckman rear allows briefing to be given or other information to be displayed – such as the view from a drone (shown). The total cost for the vehicle was £32,500 and was met by the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

Mines Rescue

D126 YOO Cumbria Ore Mine Rescue Unit (Comru) Mercedes

D126 YOO Cumbria Ore Mine Rescue Unit (Comru) Mercedes Unimog This rugged off road vehicle can carry a lot of equipment to locations may miles from the nearest road. To keep the vehicle looking good, it has been vinyl wrapped in white with the livery applied over the top.

Search and Rescue

SY54 SAR British Red Cross Mercedes Unimog incident control and

SY54 SAR British Red Cross Mercedes Unimog incident control and communications support unit. This Search and Rescue vehicle has a personalised registration plate. Notice the size of the steps to get into the rear! It is owned by the Scottish Government and after a spell with Mountain Rescue, the Red Cross are the current custodians of it.