Magnificent seven: HM Coastguard team members receive special accolade
Seven members of HM Coastguard have received a special accolade, after a three-and-a-half-hour rescue that saved a life and ‘tested bravery and decision making’. On the evening of June 3 last year, the Coastguard received reports that a climber had fallen down cliffs at Bragar, Isle of Lewis. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Stornoway sent the Coastguard helicopter from Stornoway to the scene, alongside Bragar, Ness, Breasclete, Miavaig, Stornoway and Harris Coastguard Rescue Teams and Senior Coastal Operations Officers David Smith and Ronald Maclean. It was quickly established that the casualty was badly hurt and wedged between cliffs and a sea stack, and could only be saved by rope rescue. Rope technicians descended the cliff before manoeuvring the casualty on to a stretcher. The casualty was transported safely to the top of the cliff and then taken by helicopter to Western Isles Hospital. Those involved with the difficult rescue operation received a Chief Coastguard Commen