Last updated at 08:44, Friday, 16 April 2010

COCKERMOUTH Mountain Rescue Team had its busiest ever year in 2009 with 64 call-outs.

Many involved serious incidents, including four fatalities, according to the team’s annual report.

The report also reviews the team’s heavy involvement in the November floods and states that it has been indebted to the fund-raising activities of other organisations that had helped it with equipment and training.

It recalled how the team’s headquarters was used as a control centre for the entire flood search and rescue operation.

Its Land Rovers provided transport through shoulder-high flood water and its swift water rescue equipment enabled team members to undertake rescues.

The team thanked other agencies and rescue teams involved in the floods rescue.

The team also received visits from Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Home Secretary Alan Johnson and Prince Charles.

The team said it was humbled by donations received from groups and individuals throughout the year and added that £5000 from Cockermouth Rock Festival had allowed it to buy a lightweight body monitor.

The team also lost team members and dog handler Kirk Outhwaite, who died after a long illness.

First published at 19:29, Thursday, 15 April 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk