Local team help in search for avalanche victims

Steve and Finn from the Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team

Finn the search dog from RPMRT has been helping out in Scotland, along with his handler Steve. They were training in Scotland with the Search And Rescue Dogs Association when the avalanche happened on 14 February around 12.30pm. They were asked to be part of the search and rescue team and were then airlifted to the site at the Chalamain Gap.

Team Leader Pete Goble said: "We wear the emblem of Mountain Rescue and train to a standard that allows us to be able to operate in these hostile places, even though as a lowland rescue team we don’t have these specific risks, we regularly visit these places to hone our skills and test ourselves. Our team members can be deployed to assist anywhere in the UK whatever the weather, day or night with minimal supervision.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those affected by this tragic incident."

Two RAF helicopters joined members of the Cairngorm and RAF Lossiemouth Mountain Rescue Teams in the rescue operation, which also included members of the Search and Rescue Dogs Association.

Three people were buried in the avalanche in the area between the Cairngorm mountain ski area and the Lairig Ghru pass known as the Chalamin Gap. Police have confirmed that all three died of the injuries sustained in the avalanche. One of the three people who died after the avalanche has been named as Squadron Leader Rimon Than of RAF Valley North Wales. He was a member of the RAF Mountaineering Association.