New vehicle reduces Pendle Hill rescue times

The Linhai LH400 UTV has been donated to the team by Preston-based Farr ATV Ltd, which has offered the vehicle on a free loan agreement basis.

A group of 10 members of the rescue team attended a one-day training course at Myerscough College to learn how to drive the machine safely on rough terrain.

Team leader Peter Goble said: “Thanks to Farr ATV Ltd this vehicle will massively reduce our response time to some of the harder to reach areas in our patch, particularly Pendle Hill, somewhere we’re called to on a regular basis. Instead of a 25 minute hike to the top, we can now reach the summit in around seven minutes. The vehicle can carry two people plus all the equipment they’ll need to begin first aid, and possibly save a life, in advance of the arrival of the rest of the team.”

The LH400 UTV is fitted with all-terrain tyres, a powerful 400cc petrol engine and selectable two and four wheel drive, offering a sure footed ride in all conditions.

Peter Johnson, general manager at Farr ATV Ltd, said: “We normally sell the Farr range to agricultural, game and equestrian users, but having friends in mountain
rescue I thought they may be able to use the vehicle to 
improve response times to 
remote areas.”

l RPMRT is a registered charity made up entirely of volunteers.

It is called out through the 999 system and carry out search and rescue duties in East Lancashire and parts of Greater Manchester. For more details visit www.
rpmrt.org.uk