Vehicles

About Us - Headquarters - Vehicles - Equipment - Team Members - Search Dogs

Land Rover TD5

In common with many other MRTs, Keswick has chosen to stay with the Land Rover Defender for its front line response vehicles. Whilst there is plenty of choice in the 4x4 market these days, we still find that the Defender is unbeatable in terms of its ability to get to places whatever the weather and terrain!

The current pair of Land Rovers, which go under the call signs of “Mobile” and “Echo” were bought in 2002 following a large bequest to the Team, and were specially adapted by Hadwins of Torver. The specification for both vehicles is identical, and the layouts are the same, so drivers don’t have to adapt at all. For the technically minded, the following list shows the amount of modification to each vehicle.

Base Vehicle - Land Rover TD5 LWB Station Wagon, with six seats and a windowless rear section. Painted in Team livery – white, with a Glasurite fluorescent red roof.

Internal changes:

Cage behind the second row of seats which forms a stretcher base when folded, but when erected, stops gear coming forward into the passenger compartment.
Second row of seats with fold flat - option to assist in stretcher carrying.
Dashboard modified for extra switches and radio equipment.
Second battery under passenger seat, with manual cut-off switch, and split charging facility.
Fibreglass reinforcement of passenger seatback, to protect seat when stretcher is carried.
12v power point for IV fluid warmer.
Internal racking at rear for rucksacks and ropes.

External:

Full length roof rack, with strobing light bar at front, and strobing blue lights on the rear ladder at rear for access. Stretcher is carried on roof, with head guard.
Extra lighting both sides and rear for stationary work.
Blue lights in grille, with headlights wired into flashing circuit.
Two tone emergency vehicle siren.
High level spotlights on swivels for use in searches.
Clarke Masts powered telescopic aerial (40ft) fitted at rear for improved radio relay facility when stationary.

Ford Transit 100PS 2.5TD County Ambulance

This was bought in 1997 to replace a previous version of the same vehicle, which itself had lasted 14 years. The vehicle was a special build on a Transit 190 van, which was converted to 4x4 by County. This involved modifying the suspension by placing spacers underneath the sub frames, and then adding a transfer gearbox, which meant that like the Land Rover, there are high and low gear ratios, and differential locks. This combination means the vehicle has good ground clearance and good off-road performance. The main limitation to its off-road use is its size, as it is a very tight fit through some gateways!

The vehicle was then converted to the Team’s own ambulance specification by Frank Guy Ltd. The layout incorporates:

Internal :

Belted seating for 11.
Space for a full length mountain rescue stretcher.
Carries oxygen, Entonox, and first aid.
The casualty space has a diesel-powered heater and provision for Propaq monitoring equipment.
Like the Land Rovers, the Transit is painted in the Team livery.
Has the same split-charge battery setup to provide adequate power for all the extra lights and radios.

External:

Full-length roof rack.
Blue light bar at the front.
Rotating turrets at the rear.
A slide-out access ladder is fitted on the offside.

Maintenance

It goes without saying that a full maintenance programme is carried out to all vehicles throughout the year and problems are dealt with immediately, as we need them to be 100% serviceable at all times. We are fortunate to have a local garage that is both sympathetic and dedicated to keeping us on the road. Because of some of the locations we go to, tyres take a hammering, and frequently need replacement before the tread is worn anywhere near legal minimum. Batteries don’t last as long because of the infrequent and irregular use, despite maintenance and sophisticated charging.

New Vehicles for 5 Teams!

Members from 4 of the Teams at the Handing Over Ceremony

In June 2002, the Team formally commissioned 2 new rescue Land Rover 110 Td5 Station Wagons. These vehicles cost £30,000 each and they were supplied and customised by Lakeland Land Rover (Torver) Ltd. Their purchase was been facilitated by a significant bequest from Miss Olga Iredell, a former Keswick resident.

The renewal of the existing vehicles, which were 13 and 11 years old respectively, had previously been postponed beyond their scheduled replacement, firstly because the Team had to ensure that their new Headquarters was fully funded, then because they were felt to be still in good repair. The replacement was finally delayed again because of fundraising concerns due to visitor shortfall during the foot and mouth crisis.

The Rescue Team was delighted that the size of Miss Iredell's bequest allowed them to pass on their older, but well-maintained and still serviceable, vehicles free of charge to Edale MRT in the Peak District and Kintail MRT in the Western Highlands of Scotland. Benefits of such co-operation were spread even further as Edale MRT are in turn handed on their LDV Crew Bus to North of Tyne Search and Rescue Team in the North East.

Presentation of keys to Edale MRT

All Teams, and representatives from Lakeland Land Rover attended a Commissioning/Handover ceremony at Keswick MRT's Headquarters on 9 June, 2002.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team responds to around 70 callouts each year, being one of the busiest rescue teams in the country. They cover over 400 square kilometres, three of the highest mountains in England, and one third of the tops mentioned in Wainwright's Guides. Reliable four-wheel drive vehicles are essential for transporting members and equipment over rough tracks to valley heads. Mountain Rescue Teams are entirely funded by voluntary contributions and all contributions are gratefully received.

The Team Leader, Mark Hodgson, expressed the gratitude of his members to the family and executors of the late Miss Iredell, Lakeland Land Rover Ltd for the customization of the vehicles, Land Rover plc for supplying to Lakeland Land Rover at 4% discount, and B F Goodrich who supplied All Terrain tyres for the new vehicles at a substantial discount.

(Report from the Keswick Reminder)

Presentation of keys to Kintail MRT