COASTGUARDS ASSISTING IN BLIZZARD CONDITIONS


Several Coastguard Rescue teams are helping to move medical staff and assisting the Police in Northern Scotland this evening as heavy snow and blizzard conditions affect the area.

On the Island of Benbecula, the Coastguards have been using their 4x4 vehicle to provide transport for the medical staff at the local hospital.

At 7pm this evening Stornoway Coastguard was asked by the Uists & Barra Hospital if they could assist with transport for staff who were unable to get to the hospital for their shift. The Benbecula Coastguard Rescue Team carried out the transfer of staff to the hospital and it is planned that they will do the same in the morning to ensure that the hospital staff are able to get to work.

Meanwhile Aberdeen Coastguard has been assisting the Police in the north east of Scotland. The Police asked for Coastguards to help when several cars were reported to be stuck in snow around the Wick and Thurso areas.

The Wick Sector Manager with the Wick, Helmsdale and Scrabster Coastguards have checked the local roads with Police Officers and found no trapped cars but they are now helping with the closure of the A9, about 8 miles South of Thurso, to prevent vehicles from getting stuck on this main road.

Watch Manager, Martin Collins said:

“The heavy snow showers and strong winds are causing very poor driving conditions across the north of Scotland this evening. The Coastguard Rescue Teams are trained to cope with these conditions and we are happy to assist the other emergency services and local authorities if called upon in such situations. We assess each request so that our own resources are not stretched should a call to a maritime incident is received.    


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