THE NORMAN NICHOLSON HOUSE PROJECT
Mountain Rescue
The proximity of Black Combe and other fells close to the sea gave plenty of opportunities to the early pioneers of the Mountain Rescue. During WWII the airfield at Haverigg was the base for RAF Millom Mountain Rescue Team (MRT), one of the first teams to be formed in the 1940s. After the closure of the camp at RAF Millom, and with it the MRT, it wasn’t until 1967 that the Millom Fell Rescue Team was formed, as a result of a small plane crash on Black Combe.
After the crash it was some days before the wreckage was found near the summit by a local shepherd. It seemed likely that the pilot of the plane was alive for some time after the event and could have been saved if there had been a local MRT in the area. A landowner living in the Whicham Valley at the base of Black Combe approached the Millom Climbing Club and they formed the basis of the new team. Peter Jackson was the first leader. Local climbers and walkers were recruited and from this group the Millom Fell Rescue Team (FRT) was established. Equipment was acquired from a variety of sources - including the first stretcher and safety helmets from Millom Ironworks. Few people had phones in the 1960s and call-outs involved driving round the town and knocking on doors! Things have come a long way since then as team members now have access to equipment including Land Rovers, radios, oxygen and GPS.
The proximity of Black Combe and other fells close to the sea gave plenty of opportunities to the early pioneers of the Mountain Rescue. During WWII the airfield at Haverigg was the base for RAF Millom Mountain Rescue Team (MRT), one of the first teams to be formed in the 1940s. After the closure of the camp at RAF Millom, and with it the MRT, it wasn’t until 1967 that the Millom Fell Rescue Team was formed, as a result of a small plane crash on Black Combe.
After the crash it was some days before the wreckage was found near the summit by a local shepherd. It seemed likely that the pilot of the plane was alive for some time after the event and could have been saved if there had been a local MRT in the area. A landowner living in the Whicham Valley at the base of Black Combe approached the Millom Climbing Club and they formed the basis of the new team. Peter Jackson was the first leader. Local climbers and walkers were recruited and from this group the Millom Fell Rescue Team (FRT) was established. Equipment was acquired from a variety of sources - including the first stretcher and safety helmets from Millom Ironworks. Few people had phones in the 1960s and call-outs involved driving round the town and knocking on doors! Things have come a long way since then as team members now have access to equipment including Land Rovers, radios, oxygen and GPS.