At 10:32 this snowy and very icy morning, as team members were assembled at our Ladybridge Hall Base/HQ, ready to depart for an outdoor training exercise, our Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE was contacted by North West Ambulance Service EOC (Manchester) regarding a local incident requiring the teams assistance.

An NWAS ambulance crew was attending a home address in the Bromley Cross area of Bolton, with the report of a very seriously ill patient, however due to the compacted snow and ice on the roads outside this address, there were some initial concerns that the Ambulance crew might need the teams assistance to transfer the casualty to their Ambulance, and then assist the Ambulance get off these local estate roads back to the main road.

The assembled nineteen team members were mobilised in five team vehicles to the address given, as at this stage it was uncertain whether or not a stretcher carry over any distance would be required.

Following our arrival at the incident location at 10:45, the NWAS crew had been able to access the address, transport the casualty to their vehicle, and make progress on the icy roads – with some care.

Team members present assisted the NWAS crew with their exit from the estate, with the ambulance departing for hospital at 11:05.