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It looks like he’s broken his femur. A mountain biker has suffered a serious crash on one of Ben Nevis’ downhill trails and the mountain rescue team aren’t taking any chances. They immediately call for a helicopter to medivac him directly to hospital in Glasgow. Before long, he’s flying south in a stretcher.
It’s a sunny Saturday in mid-September and the uplands around Britain’s highest mountain are awash with hikers, bikers, runners and climbers. Keeping an eye out for all of them are the volunteers from Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team. Keen to show the public what an invaluable service they provide, they’ve invited me to shadow them for the day. And what an experience it proves to be.