A Scots mountain biker was airlifted to hospital after a serious crash on a trail yesterday.
Mountain rescue teams rushed to Innerleithen mountain bike trails on Tuesday after the incident.
The biker sustained a significant upper arm injury as well as potentially serious injuries caused by the impact of his crash.
Volunteers assisted with the evacuation alongside the Scottish Ambulance Service as paramedics urgently requested an air ambulance.
The injured person was safely evacuated to hospital within 10 minutes and the full extent of their injuries is not yet known.
Photographs from the scene show the casualty wrapped in a foil blanket on a stretcher as mountain rescue volunteers and paramedics assess the situation.
The person is then carried uphill by the group, as well as their friends, away from the crash site and towards the aircraft that can be seen hovering above a field.
Tweed Valley MRT said: “Called to an incident at the Innerleithen MTB trails today where we assisted in the evacuation of an injured mountain biker.
"After assessment by Scottish Ambulance Service Paramedics, it was decided that the casualty required helicopter evacuation due to a significant upper arm injury coupled with potentially more serious injuries caused by the impact of his crash.
"The helicopter evacuation meant he was at hospital 10 minutes after the aircraft left the incident site as opposed to potentially a one and a half hour transfer by road ambulance.
"This incident involved 7 volunteer team members. Thanks go to the crew of Rescue Helicopter 199, Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service, HMCG Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre as well as the other members of the casualties riding party who assisted in the stretcher carry.”
The Scottish Ambulance Service has been contacted for comment.
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