Cooper Tire equips UK mountain search and rescue teams

Cooper Tire Europe has increased its involvement in UK mountain search and rescue operations. The tyre manufacturer is providing support to teams across England and Wales. As part of the initiative, several teams are now equipped with Cooper 4×4 tyres.

Cooper initially entered the mountain search and rescue sector by equipping the South Snowdonia Search & Rescue Team (SSSART). Under the umbrella of the Mountain Rescue England and Wales organisation, supply has rapidly expanded to half a dozen search and rescue teams with the addition of: North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team; Oldham Mountain Rescue Team; Kinder Mountain Rescue Team; Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team; and Exmoor Search and Rescue Team.

Cooper Discoverer brand 4×4 tyres

Most teams use modified Land Rover Defenders to tackle the demanding landscapes and conditions they encounter. Cooper’s Discoverer S/T MAXX P.O.R. and Discoverer STT PRO P.O.R. are the tyre supplier’s most popular fitments for these applications. Both tyres feature Cooper’s Armor Tek³ Construction, which provides durability and puncture resistance. Alongside this, the Discoverer S/T MAXX P.O.R. boasts a cut and chip resistant tread compound and stone ejector ribs. The Discoverer STT PRO P.O.R. uses alternating shoulder lugs to enhance traction in mud and soft surfaces.

Michiel Kramer, sales and marketing director, Cooper Tire Europe, said, “We are very proud to supply tyres to many of the mountain rescue teams in operation across England and Wales. While the hundreds of dedicated volunteers spend their time helping others, we want to help them carry out their roles as efficiently as possible by providing high-quality, durable tyres for search and medical vehicles.”

Simon Thresher, vehicles officer, Mountain Rescue England and Wales, said, “Mountain rescue teams are called out at a moment’s notice – any time, day or night, in all weather. We operate across many different terrains and rely heavily on our vehicles. Cooper tyres give rescue teams the ability to get team members and equipment safely to where they are needed, ensuring that cold, injured or lost members of the public get help. As Mountain Rescue England and Wales is 100 per cent voluntary, we rely on the generosity of the public and companies like Cooper.”

Dave Eustace, deputy team leader, Kinder Mountain Rescue Team, said, “Those in need of mountain rescue are often cold, anxious and injured. It is important that we get to them as soon as possible to help. For Kinder Mountain Rescue Team, this often involves driving off-road and up difficult tracks. This can be particularly challenging at night or in poor conditions like snow and ice. Cooper tyres give us confidence to drive our Land Rovers safely and effectively on our rescue operations.”

Cooper has published information on each rescue team, including details of their operating areas, fleets and tyre choices, on its website.