Boy rescued following 200ft fall at White Horse

A boy has been rescued after falling 200ft down a steep slope at Westbury’s White Horse.

Wiltshire Search and Rescue said the operation effort on Sunday 8th March involved 45 people, including 25 volunteers from the charity, Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) paramedics, and Dorset and Wiltshire Firefighters.

In a social media post, a spokesperson described it as a “complex rescue.” They said, “The location was just under half a kilometre from the nearest track. We were able to drive off-road part of the way, but the terrain and obstacles meant the final leg had to be on foot. Due to the fog, a breadcrumb trail of cyalumes was laid to mark the route back to safety.

“A helicopter to winch the stretcher off the hillside was considered, but all commanders agreed that a rope system was the safest method. The technical rescue team from Westlea Fire Station led the operation, with assistance from three of our team members. Ground anchors secured twin lines that lowered an attendant in a harness down the slope.

“Mechanical advantage was then used to pull the stretcher and attendant about 200ft back up the hill. The young casualty, still immobilised, was then carried and ‘caterpillared’ over obstacles by a stretcher party to flat ground, where volunteers waited with a stretcher wheel. This ensured the final leg to the ambulance was as smooth as possible.

“Our thoughts are with the young lad and his family.”

The boy’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Wiltshire Search and Rescue is a charity with no statutory funding and relies on donations. Teams of local volunteers are on call 24/7, 365 days a year. For more information or to donate, visit wilsar.org.uk.

Pictured: The team on Westbury White Horse. Credit: Wiltshire Search and Rescue