Mountain rescue of off-piste skier in Cairngorms triggered by smart watch

Members of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team came to the aid of an injured off-piste skier yesterday after the alert had been signalled on a smart watch and the alarm being raised via the United States.

It is believed to be the first time that the volunteers have responded to an incident triggered by such a device.

The co-ordination centre in Houston in Texas tried to alert the mother of the smart watch owner – given as an emergency contact – but she thought that the repeated call was a scam and blocked the number.

The casualty, who has not been named, was skiing with friends in Coire Raibert at the back of Cairn Gorm leading down to Loch A'an when she fell and dislocated her shoulder.

The accident occurred at around 4.30pm and the woman was airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness by the 151 Inverness Search and Rescue helicopter.

CMRT member Al Gilmour, who co-ordinated the rescue, said: "The incident was instigated by someone using a smart watch to make the call for help. There was no mobile reception where the accident happened.

"I think it is the first rescue involving the CMRT which has been triggered by a smart watch.

"We are awaiting further details but I think it is like the classic GPS safety devices which have an SOS button.

"The alert went through to Houston in Texas - as the tech has moved forward it is in a watch now.

"The alert goes through to emergency contacts as well as the co-ordination centre in the United States who passed it on to the police (in Scotland).

"The chap's mother thought it was a scam with the American number coming up and she hung up.

"It rang again, and again, so she blocked the number. It was only when her daughter called up asking if she had received a phone call from Houston, Texas, that they became part of the loop. The chap must have set up his mother and sister as emergency contacts."

Mr Gilmour said that he assumed the accident occurred at a well-known spot on the run where there is a change of angle and aspect which would have led to a change in underfoot snow conditions.

"The casualty has probably just caught a ski. It is a really simple thing to happen and could have happened at any point in the winter with the number of skiers in Coire Raibert. It was just one of those things."

He added: "Given the fact it was a dislocated shoulder we felt it would be best to get the helicopter in."

In the meantime, three members of the CMRT had made their way towards the scene on skis.

But with confirmation of the S&R helcipoter on its way, the trio remained above the coire to maintain phone contact with the rescue operation.

The CMRT was assisted by two members of the Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team who happened to be in the area at the time with their friend, a member of the Cairngorm team, who was also involved in the rescue.

The rescue operation was completed by 6pm.

No further details were available on the casualty and group and where they are from.

The rescue team is warning that it is still very wintry on the Cairngorm plateau and northerly slopes.

The CMRT relies on public donations. More information on their work can be found here

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.