During Hurricane Otto last week, a hiker who went missing endured two nights alone in winds that gusted above 95 miles per hour.
When Dr. John Pike, 61, failed to return to his lodging in Portree after injuring his leg while trekking on the Island of Skye, he was reported missing on Thursday afternoon.
The Bristol-based doctor was stranded on an exposed hillside close to Lake Coruisk for two nights as Storm Otto tore across the area.
The Skye Mountain Rescue Team located Dr. Pike on Sunday morning after a multi-force search and rescue operation was started to find him.
The doctor was discovered “cold but aware” despite having a leg injury, but the rescue squad stated the 61-year-old was fortunate to be alive.
We are happy to inform that our continuing search for missing hillwalker Dr. John Pike was successful this morning, according to a statement.
Dr. Pike spent the previous two nights on an exposed mountainside above Lake Coruisk, where he had been immobile due to a lower leg injury sustained on Thursday.
During storm Otto on Thursday night, a wind speed of 95 mph was reported in the area. The hills were covered with new snow after last night’s record-breaking low temperatures.
Thus, when we discovered him at 10.30am, chilly but aware, it was with great relief.
The statement expressed gratitude for the work done by the many rescue teams that assisted in locating Dr. Pike.
Once again, our neighbors, Kintail MRT, RAF Lossiemouth MRT, recently created North Police MRT, SARDA Southern Scotland, Coastguard Helicopter R948, Mallaig Lifeboat, Police Scotland search team and dog handlers, as well as local Coastguard teams, backed us.
Almost 50 volunteers and professionals participated in total. We would want to thank everyone who helped in the search and rescue and wish Dr. Pike a fast recovery.
Dr. Pike was located, and a statement for Police Scotland commended the volunteer forces for their efforts.
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