Injured doctor who endured two nights on freezing hillside during Storm Otto before he was found is ‘lucky to be alive’, rescuer says

• Dr John Pike spent two nights alone in freezing weather conditions on Skye
• Read more: Human remains found in melting ice on Swiss glacier identified 

A missing hiker spent two nights alone in wind speeds of more than 95 miles per hour during Storm Otto last week. 

Dr John Pike, 61, had hurt his leg while hiking on the Isle of Skye and was reported missing during Thursday afternoon when he didn’t return to his accommodation in Portree. 

The Bristol-based doctor spent two nights immobilised on the open hillside near Loch Coruisk as Storm Otto battered the landscape. 

A multi-force rescue mission was launched to find Dr Pike and he was found on Sunday morning by the Skye Mountain Rescue Team. 

Despite his leg injury the doctor was found ‘cold but alert’, although the rescue team said the 61-year-old was lucky to be alive. 

Dr John Pike, 61, hurt his leg while hiking on the Isle of Skye and spent two days out in the countryside alone

He was reported missing during Thursday afternoon when he didn’t return to his accommodation in Portree

A statement read: ‘We are pleased to report that our ongoing search for the missing hillwalker, Dr John Pike, came to a successful conclusion this morning.

‘Dr Pike, who had become immobilised after suffering a lower leg injury on Thursday, had endured two nights on the open hillside above Loch Coruisk.

‘On Thursday night, a wind speed of 95 mph was recorded nearby during storm Otto. Last night temperatures plummeted, and there was fresh snow on the hills.

‘So it was with huge relief that we found him cold, but alert around 10.30am.’

The rescue teams located the Bristol-based doctor on Sunday morning. He had spent two days exposed to the weather with a leg injury 

The statement gave thanks for the efforts of the various rescue teams involved in helping to locate Dr Pike.

‘Once again, we were supported by our neighbours, Kintail MRT with substantial back up being provided by RAF Lossiemouth MRT, newly formed North Police MRT, SARDA Southern Scotland, Coastguard Helicopter R948, Mallaig Lifeboat, Police Scotland search team and dog handlers along with local Coastguard teams.

‘In total over 50 volunteers and professionals were involved. We would like to wish Dr Pike a speedy recovery and thank everyone involved in the search and rescue.’

A Police Scotland spokesman confirmed that Dr Pike had been found and thanked the volunteer forces for their efforts. 

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