Twenty five rescued from flooded caravan park
TWENTY-five people were plucked to safety after the River Spey burst its banks and flooded an Aviemore caravan park.
In the early hours of Sunday morning Scotttish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) operations control in Inverness received a 999 call reporting serious flooding in the Aviemore Holiday Caravan Park.
An Aviemore fire appliance went to the scene and found serious flooding throughout most areas of the park with the water too deep and fast flowing for vehicles to gain access.
Crews also discovered that a number of the chalets and caravans were occupied with people trapped inside, but many of them were unaware of the increasing risk as most were asleep in bed.
Recognising the potential for the situation to escalate and the possible threat to life, the incident commander requested additional assistance and the attendance of the SFRS’s specialist swift water rescue team from Inverness.
An appliance from Kingussie and one from Inverness went to the scene along with the team of 10 swift water rescue specialists.
Firefighters worked withPolice Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service, Highland Council and Scottish and Southern Energy and rescued 22 adults, three children and seven dogs from various properties within the park using a rescue boat and rescue sled.
A systematic search of all 103 properties on the site took place to ensure that everyone had been accounted for and that all residents were safe.
SFRS group manager John MacDonald, who led the operation, praised the efforts of the fire crews who worked in challenging and arduous conditions of freezing cold water which was swift moving and at times chest deep in places.
He said: "This was energy sapping work that required the implementation of specialist technical processes to ensure safe systems of work were implemented.
"The successful outcome to the incident was achieved through a co-ordinated multi agency approach where all responding agencies played a key role."
Mr MacDonald also thanked the local community and residents who co-operated with the emergency services and to the local businesses who provided care for those rescued and evacuated, as well as providing refreshments for the personnel from the agencies attending the incident.
