Applecross helipad used by Coastguard in airlift is honouring legacy of Bethany Walker; Community effort to create £60K lifeline landing pad in remote Wester Ross community 'will save lives'
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A WESTER Ross helipad inspired by the tragic death of a teenager and created through the hard work of determined volunteers was pressed into action this week in a Coastguard rescue.
Bethany Walker was just 18 when in 2018 she was airlifted from Applecross to Raigmore after a flu virus developed into sepsis.
The air ambulance then had to land in a village pub car park, the only available space at the time.
Sadly, despite the best efforts of medical staff, Bethany died.
Her mother, Heather Teale, then helped sprearhead a push to create a permanent helipad in her daughter's memory – achieved just months ago after a £60,000 funding drive and remarkable community cooperation.
The Coastguard on Tuesday this week made use of the lifeline facility is airlifting a 54-year-old woman who had slipped and fell on rocks on the shoreline and had a suspected broken hip.
Jon Glover, chairman of Applecross Community Council, said: "It was great to see the helipad being used, sad to see an accident, but happy that the woman who was rescued did not have to endure several hours in an ambulance.We are relieved to have the helipad.
"The accident coincided with our first very busy day with places opening up again. The helipad was completed around three weeks ago, and we only laid the grass seeds at the end of April. The grass has not even had a chance to grow yet.
"I have no doubt that the helipad will save lives in the future. "
Both the Coastguard and Kyle RNLI lifeboat, involved in the operation, noted the significance of the helipad.
The Coastguard posted: "Quite a monumental moment today. After a lot of hard work from the Applecross community in raising funds for this life saving helicopter pad in the community, our Inverness Search & Rescue helicopter was the first one using it today.Brilliant work."
Helipad in memory of late teen is a real community labour of love
