Navy helicopter rescues couple from car stranded on icy road near Scottish hotel

 Navy helicopter rescues couple from car trapped on icy road near Scottish hotel
Navy helicopter rescues couple from car trapped on icy road near Scottish hotel

Stock photo: The Trossachs



A Royal Navy helicopter had to rescue a couple who became stranded in their car on an icy road in the Trossachs, Scotland, on Sunday.

The pair became trapped after their car began slipping near the Loch Achray Hotel in Aberfoyle.

The HMS Gannet-based helicopter found the them on Duke's Pass at around 10am, and they were taken to the Loch Achray Hotel unharmed.
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HMS Gannet Commanding Officer Lt Cdr Andy Drodge told the BBC: "The surface of the road was almost completely covered in ice. We managed to get in quite close and land on the road to drop off our aircrewman Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Dave Rigg, but we had to take off again to find a more level landing area.

"After circling, we found a good flat landing spot a bit further away and Dave and the police escorted the couple up the road using the grass verge for some extra grip."

However, the rescue team had difficulties getting the couple onto the helicopter ramp because the icy conditions were so bad.

CPO Rigg told the BBC: "It was like an ice rink under foot. It was so dangerous that we made the decision to actually winch the two motorists into the helicopter while we were still on the ground.

"It was extremely unusual, but we feared that having them on the ice any longer than necessary could possibly lead to injury.

"I have never in all my 18 years' aviation experience winched someone into the helicopter while we were actually fully landed on the ground - that's how bad it was."

Experts have today warned about the dangers of 'freezing fog' causing treacherous driving conditions.

A Met Office spokesman said on Monday: "One of the major risks is for drivers. They could have problems with visibility and it could create hazardous driving conditions."

He added that there was a risk water falling on windscreens in affected areas that could turn to ice.

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