Resourceful volunteers react to wind chaos

As fierce winds – in excess of 90mph – ravaged Scotland and caused widespread damage on Tuesday (3 January), volunteers happened across two serious incidents in different counties within the space of a few minutes reports British Red Cross.

Firstly, event first aid volunteers Douglas Creithton, Carina Lamb and Grace Aspden were driving through Dumfriesshire at 7.45am when they found a collapsed tree on top of a badly damaged car.

Douglas said: “The tree had crushed the passenger side of the car but, fortunately, the driver was alone and had escaped injury. He was clearly in shock, so we got him into our vehicle to make sure he was okay and to keep him warm.”

He added: “A queue of traffic was building up, so we set up a safe area around the scene, making sure there was access for emergency vehicles. By bizarre chance, there was a tree surgeon in the queue who had his chainsaw and equipment with him, so he dealt with the tree and the road was open about 40 minutes later.

 “When the police arrived, they were amazed to find Red Cross first aiders in their workwear organising things and a tree surgeon clearing the road. It was quite a start to the day.”
 
Just 15 minutes later, volunteer Johnny Kerr was driving through Lanarkshire when he witnessed a bizarre incident.

Johnny recalled: “I saw a big Eddie Stobart lorry get blown over onto its side, down an embankment and into the wall of a house.

“The lorry driver was dazed, and bleeding from quite bad lacerations to his arms and face. I helped him inside the house – fortunately, the occupants were completely unhurt – and cleaned up and bandaged his wounds before the ambulance arrived.”

He added: “I also made sure the householders were okay – apparently, it’s the second time a lorry has hit this particular house.”

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