Category: Mountain Rescue

The mountain rescue services use 4×4 vehicles to get to difficult to reach places. Their work includes rescuing casualties and find missing people.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mountain Rescue

In this set of images we can see some of the vehicles used for a major MR incident…



In this set of images we can see some of the vehicles used for a major MR incident. A walker on Ben Nevis has been reported missing for nearly two days. The 20-year old man was ill-equipped for walking the hill and was last seen at 3,300 feet wearing jeans and a jacket.



All of the vehicles shown in this line up are RAF mountain rescue from Kinloss and Valley. Around 50 people were involved in the search that was hampered by darkness and severe weather.



SF52 OTR A close up look at one of the RAF MRT Mercedes Sprinter vans.





Also in attendance are Lochaber MRT with this Ford Transit personnel carrier.



Royal Navy helicopter RESCUE 177 is also involved with a couple of Northern Police dog handlers. SARDA Scotland were already at work up the hill.





The helicopter circles with the door open as the winchman and winch operator scour the landscape for the walker. Unfortunately, six days after the walker disappeared, his body was found.