Dutch soldiers rescue hypothermic man in Scottish Highlands

Reservists from the Dutch Marine Corps rescued a hypothermic hiker on Friday during a mountain training exercise on Ben Nevis in Scotland, the highest peak in the United Kingdom. The man, exhausted and confused, could not descend on his own due to severe leg cramps and the lack of navigational tools, RTL reports.

The rescuers found him near the summit of the 1,345-meter mountain, where conditions were severe, with winds at force 8, heavy mist, and limited visibility.

Using a waterproof bivvy sack, ropes, a mat, and a thick jacket—all standard equipment for their exercises—the marines improvised a stretcher to carry him down. They gave the man food and water during the descent. Once he reached the snowline, he was able to walk independently and was handed over to local police as a precaution.

Sergeant Onno Lankhaar, section commander, highlighted the hiker’s narrow escape. “If we hadn’t seen him, he certainly would not have survived,” he said.

The training involved Dutch reservists working alongside British Royal Marine Reserves to practice navigation, movement on mountainous terrain, and casualty evacuation—skills directly applied during the rescue.

Caretaker Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans posted on X, “Our armed forces are full of big and small heroic stories.”