As the “Go Anywhere in all Weather Conditions” all-wheel-drive version, the MAN TGE 4x4 is the ideal vehicle partner for Buxton Mountain Rescue's challenging, severe-terrain operations.
Given Buxton Mountain Rescue's demanding function and the vehicle's intended purpose, Minibus Options of Whaley Bridge, High Peak, Derbyshire, has converted it into a seven-seater. Minibus Options has also fitted a cage for the safe stowage of essential mountain rescue gear and first-aid equipment, stretcher storage, and a removable table. In addition, the vehicle features a safe, an inverter, emergency lights and a warning system, an advanced HD Witness Camera system, sliding and swivel seats, an Eberspacher auxiliary heater, and a Hytera digital mobile radio system.
Regarding the new vehicle, Ryan McCoy, Buxton Mountain Rescue, said, “Firstly, as a voluntary organisation, I’d like to thank the public for their generous donations. Without this generosity, the service we deliver simply wouldn’t offer the high level of support it does. In many cases, the assistance our team provides is a lifeline for injured and stranded walkers and climbers across the region.
“Our new MAN TGE is a real asset to our operation. Although we operate differently from, say, a parcel delivery company, we require a vehicle that is robust, trustworthy, efficient, and, above all, capable off-road because of the severity of our terrain. Our vehicles can be called upon around the clock, twenty-four seven, so they must be turnkey-ready at all times.”
Offered with an intelligent electronic all-wheel drive system, the TGE’s advanced 4x4 solution, upon recognising a loss of traction and tire slip, distributes drive torque continuously to both axles and across all wheels within 84 milliseconds.
Ryan continued, “When responding to an emergency, it’s incredibly encouraging to know that our team members, who freely give their time and expertise, are surrounded by the TGE’s industry and class-leading active and passive safety features.
“Upon receiving an emergency call, it’s uncertain what to expect, for example, where people are, how many people are involved, whether there are injuries, what the weather is doing, what equipment is needed, and whether other emergency services are required, involved or needed. Because of this, we need a vehicle that can cover all bases, and with the MAN TGE 4x4, we have just that.”
“Minibus Options and MAN have worked closely on this vehicle to ensure it meets our needs. Throughout the conversion, they have supported each other with technical information and expertise, and all parties involved have shown true determination. This has been noted and is very much appreciated.” Concluded Ryan.
Equipped with a digital instrument cluster, MAN Media Van Navigation Business with a 12.9-inch touchscreen, multifunction steering wheel, electronic parking brake with Auto-Hold function, column-mounted gear control, Keyless Go, fatigue detection, crosswind assist, hill-hold assist, engine start/stop, air conditioning, immobilizer, intelligent speed assist, cruise control, emergency brake assist, and MAN’s parking assist, Buxton Mountain Rescues TGE has all the creature comforts they require.
Founded in 1964 after a tragic accident in the Peak District, Buxton Mountain Rescue now operates from Dove Holes village near Buxton in Derbyshire. In 1964, they operated out of a pub in Buxton, used borrowed equipment, and handled a handful of callouts each year.
Today, with full charitable status, the 60-plus members cover 400 sq. miles across Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Cheshire. The team handles more than 100 emergency calls per year and is the second-busiest rescue service in the Peak District. Thanks to public support, they are widely recognised as one of the best-equipped and most highly trained rescue teams in the country.
Matthew Jacob, Senior Bus & Coach Sales Executive at MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd, commented, “This has been an extremely interesting vehicle to work on. The team at Buxton Mountain Rescue knows what works for them, and with the assistance of Minibus Options, they have built a vehicle that is robust, capable, and able to handle the harsh conditions they work in.
“Specifying the vehicle correctly and watching it evolve into a seven-seater with a range of specialist additions has been very rewarding. As a keen walker and outdoor enthusiast, I just hope I don’t put myself in a position where I have to call on it!”
Fred James, Minibus Options Sales Director, added, “From initial conversations, it was clear that to meet Buxton Mountain Rescue's exacting brief, we would need to work closely with them at all stages of this special project. Their outline requirement included an all-wheel-drive emergency response vehicle capable of carrying multiple passengers and a wide range of rescue equipment. In addition, they needed it categorised as an M1 passenger vehicle so it would be suitable for all drivers.”
“The project began with us weighing the rescue equipment that needed to be accommodated, which in turn determined the available payload for conversion and passengers. Once this was established, we worked with the Team at Buxton Mountain Rescue to fine-tune the specification to fully meet their needs. From start to finish, the process was an absolute pleasure, and the resulting vehicle is now in service supporting their vital work.”
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