“The safety features on the Toyota Hilux are massively enhanced compared to vehicles we’ve used previously.”
Neal Ingram, Vehicle Officer from Scarborough & Ryedale Mountain Rescue.
Stretching from the east coast up to the remotest parts of the North Yorkshire Moors – the Scarborough & Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team’s patch totals 2,500 square miles. The team consists of 40 highly trained volunteers who successfully rescue people in this tough environment.
Transporting the volunteers into this rugged landscape to locate lost and injured walkers and cyclists and bringing them back to safety requires some very specialist skills, safety features and vehicles.
Vehicle officer Neal Ingram explains: “This is the second largest mountain rescue patch in the country. The safety of our volunteers and patients is paramount. And since the delivery of our latest response vehicle, the Toyota Hilux, we now operate more safely than ever before.”
Toyota Hilux safety features
“We think the safety features on the Toyota Hilux are massively enhanced compared to vehicles we’ve used previously,” says Neal.
On top of an already excellent and respected off-road four-wheel drive platform, these new Hilux are fitted with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Airbags and Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) which we are integral safety features for the job at hand.
“The 360 reversing camera is also a game-changer, minimising the risk of hitting anything while manoeuvring. This model is a manual 2.8 Invincible X. It comes standard with a diff-lock, so it’s ideal for responding to the toughest of call-outs,” explains the 46-year-old full-time paramedic.
Toyota Hilux technology and comfort
“The Apple Car Play integrates with our phones so we can seamlessly use mapping tools like What Three Words to help locate people. Even the MyToyota app is invaluable. I can use this to see the exact location of our vehicle, from back at base or even at home,” adds Neal.
Twenty-five of the Scarborough & Ryedale Mountain Rescue volunteers are also trained as drivers. Fallen walkers, injured mountain bikers and even heart attack victims are common. So, response time, safety features and comfort is crucial.
Learn how to use the MyToyota app.
Toyota Hilux upgrades and equipment
Scarborough & Ryedale Mountain Rescue is 100% funded by public donations and volunteers. “It costs £50k per year to operate. Buying vehicles requires additional fundraising. The base price of this Hilux was approximately £39k. After fitting all the required upgrades, safety features and equipment the total cost is roughly £75k including VAT, which is refundable as we are a charitable organisation.”
Neal purchased the Toyota Hilux from Vantage Toyota in York in March 2024. “As we are a charity, they pushed for a good discount using the NHS Services Scheme. It was a very smooth process.”
“We’ve also uprated the suspension to 3.5 tonnes to cope with the weight of all our equipment. We added BF Goodrich off-road tyres, fitted an RSI Smart Cap and specialist bumpers suitable for off-road recovery.”
Neal adds: “We added an auxiliary electrical system with split-charging to power our radio equipment and blue lights on our Hilux.”
“This 2023 model is the first of a pair of Hilux we are adding to our service. We have raised a third of the money for the second one. That will be the latest MY24 edition – similar in specification and cost to our current Hilux.“
The fully liveried Hilux response vehicle carries a lot of other specialist equipment, including two rescue stretchers, defibrillator, full medical kit, splints, vacuum mattress and a full twin-rope rigging kit. The Hilux has already been used for three successful call-outs.
Words by Rod Kirkpatrick
Disclaimer: This article was conducted via a third-party contractor and is solely based on an independent account of a current Toyota Hilux 2.8 Invincible X customer (owner since March 2024). All experiences expressed are personal and not to be taken as a broad customer experience. Any purchase cost or running cost price comparison in this article is subject to personal use and can vary depending on factors such as selected grade and transmission, accessories fitted (post registration), driving style, weather conditions, speed, vehicle and battery age/condition, government scheme and vehicle load. This article shouldn’t be taken as a typical customer experience. Interview conducted 21st Sept 2024.
