Body recovery a growing part of rescuers' work

MOUNTAIN rescue teams are having to deal with a growing number of people who head for the hills to take their own lives.

By The Newsroom

Published 28th Feb 2019, 14:03 GMT

Statistics released last night by the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland show that the number of call-outs for teams across Scotland rose by 4 per cent last year over 2008.

Volunteers dealt with 402 mountaineering incidents which involved 560 people, 27 deaths and 228 injuries.

But they also handled 156 non-mountaineering incidents, which involved 58 deaths and 30 people being injured.

The non-mountaineering incidents have included recovering bodies after suicides in remote areas, as well as assisting stranded motorists.

Alf Ingram, the committee chairman, said: "The main reason for the overall increase in the number of incidents is on the non-mountaineering side.

"Very sadly there is a rise in the number of vulnerable people choosing to go into the countryside to take their own lives. It's a reflection on society."