Fell runner tumbles 70 metres down Coire Cas headwall in Cairngorms

A fell runner tumbled nearly 70 metres down the Coire Cas headwall after slipping on ice whilst training in the Cairngorms.

It could have been even worse for the 19-year-old but his plunge was arrested by rocks 30 metres above the coire floor.

The man, who has not been named, was airlifted to Raigmore Hospital by the Rescue 151 helicopter following the incident at around 4pm on Sunday.

It was initially feared that the man, who was running with a friend, had suffered head and lower leg injuries but he was later discharged after being treated for cuts and bruises.

Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team leader Iain Cornfoot said: "The fell runner was on his way back down from Cairn Gorm and slipped on the ice.

"He slid down the steep slope of the headwall within the ski area and into some rocks.

"Luckily there was a group of mountaineering instructors who were carrying out training close by and they went to his aid.

"They stabilised the casualty and kept him warm and relayed the information to the police. A couple of rescue team members who were working on ski patrol that day attended.

"We treated and packaged the casualty and requested an airlift."

Mr Cornfoot added: "He fell on a steep slope and ran into rocks and was lucky that he did not go further.

"He was still up on the headwall and there was still a further 20 to 30 metres that he could have fallen."

The runner has been wearing lightweight sports clothing.

Mr Cornfoot said: "The guys who were first on the scene gave him their warm clothing until we arrived."

Three members of the rescue team attended – one of those had been in the group of mountaineering instructors and the rest of the group helped to carry the casualty to the helicopter.

Mr Cornfoot said the runner did not have much shell clothing to protect him in the fall and there had been fears that he had sustained head and ankle injuries.

He added: "He was in a bit of a mess."

The mountain instructors raised the alarm as the man's friend has been running ahead of him and was initially unaware that he had slipped and fallen.

It is thought the man was from the Central Belt area.

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