A WEE County man cheated death on one of Scotland’s top mountain ranges after falling down the cliff-face, being held only by security ropes writes Alison McCallum.

 

Tillicoultry man Sam Burns had been climbing the Cairngorms with his 32-year-old friend Paul Manson when disaster struck.

The 25-year-old software engineer fell as the pair reached the top of crags near the Shelter Stone on Saturday, February 20 as was hanging more than 150 feet from
the ground by only his safety ropes.

 

Sam’s companion, who realised he had broken his leg, abseiled down to his friend and cut a snow seat for the software engineer to rest in as he sought help.

 

However, hope for Sam faded with the dying light as his friend went on a five-hour mission to seek help.

 

Paul said: “He was fairly lucid but I thought he had clearly broken his leg. When I moved him into the seat, he was in unbelievable pain, but he helped move himself.”

 

Paul trekked for two-hours before finding help at a well-known shelter where two more climbers gave him food and drink before they headed back to find Sam.

 

Five hours after the fall, Sam was airlifted to Raigmore hospital, where it was found he had a broken hip and leg.

 

Sam’s close call has prompted a Wee County mountain rescue group to repeat their warning about climbing in the challenging conditions.

 

Kevin Mitchell, a team leader with the Ochil Mountain Rescue Team, said: “At the moment we have had an unprecedented spell of weather and it has led to very unusual conditions on the Scottish mountains.

 

“It is a time to be very weary about where you are going and the route you are taking. If you want to be out on the hills be very aware of the route you are taking and check the Avalanche Information for Scotland website for up-to-date

information.”