Climber survives 1500ft fall before running four miles for help

An Ayrshire man has said he is lucky to be alive after falling more than 1,500ft off Goat Fell mountain on Arran - and then running for miles to find help.

Callum Laird plunged off the mountain due to icy conditions, and although he managed to break his descent at points by clinging to rocks, the 25-year-old eventually dropped onto a grassy marsh.

He only realised the extent of his injuries when he encountered a woman and her daughter, having left a trail of blood along a hiking trail.

Callum was rushed to Arran War Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. He suffered only superficial burns, a chipped ankle and an injured shin.

Experienced marathon runner Callum, from Cumnock was scaling Goat Fell last Saturday as part of his training for the upcoming Trans Gran Canaria ultramarathon.

He hoped climbing the Arran peak could replicate some of the conditions he expects to find in Spain, but found parts of the mountain covered in ice.

He told BBC Scotland News: "It was when I started to turn back that I went into free fall off the side of the mountain.

"I managed to catch a rock about halfway down. I was dangling off it, trying to find a phone to call mountain rescue, but couldn't find it. I was there for two minutes and already starting to get cold.

"I noticed there was blood there, but I put that to the back of my mind, and decided I would need to aim for the softest landing I could see.

"That was another 800ft or so, and I eventually landed in a grassy marsh."

When Callum landed he knew that if he remained there, his condition would only get worse, and during the fall his phone had been lost.

After checking he had not broken any bones, he hauled himself up and started heading in the direction of the Glen Rosa ferry terminal miles away, intending to travel off the isle.

Callum's partner Nicole works at Crosshouse hospital in Kilmarnock, and he planned to go and see her.

He told BBC Scotland his memories were blurry about some of the incident, but after going through a couple of river crossings and marshes he got onto the Glen Rosa trail path and started running for about three or four miles.

He added: "I could feel my right ankle starting to seize up but I kept going. I met this woman on the trail, and it turned out her husband is a doctor with the mountain rescue team.

"She was with her daughter and they gave me a cup of tea and wrapped me in blankets – they told me I looked like I was going to die."

Despite this, Callum was still insisting he would get the ferry and head home, despite being at risk of hypothermia.

"The woman was determined I wasn't, and that I'd go to hospital, and when I got to the car I looked behind and saw this trail of blood behind me."

It was only when he reached hospital that Callum realised the danger he was in, as medics rushed to treat him.

The following day he was airlifted to Crosshouse, and then discharged that night.

His burns are now starting to heal, and will see how his recovery goes before deciding whether he can take part in the Trans Gran Canaria event.

However, he is keen that other climbers are aware of the incident and are aware of the risks in climbing a mountain when it is icy.

He explained: "You should always go with somebody or make sure there is someone that knows your route.

"It might seem a bit much but always make sure you have proper equipment, because if I'd had an ice axe with me I could have pulled myself back up.

"I had poles on me but they were no use with the ice. It might be an extra weight, but it could be something that saves your life.

"I can't believe I'm still alive, to be honest."