This evening, 27 team members provided standby rescue cover for this year’s Hendersons End Fell Race. Most of the event, which attracted a senior field of 95 runners passed totally without incident when at 20:45 we received a report that a female fell runner had gone over on her ankle on the steep slopes just below the Pigeon Tower at Rivington on the final stages of the event.

Two team members were immediately on hand and called for assistance from our BM4 and BM3 Landrover spot pickup crews.

The 38 year old experienced female runner involved (from Darwen) was transported to the event finish where her ankle injury (a suspected fractured ankle) worsened in pain and swelling.

It was decided to take her directly to Royal Bolton Hospital for treatment, whilst at the same time we administered painkilling drugs.

We subsequently found out from the woman involved that she had received very painful ligament damage to her ankle, and she has promised to run in a sponsored half marathon (or similar) for the team when she is back to full health.