An RAF Sea King flew the injured walker to hospital

Mountain rescuers used technology to put them in the picture during a search for an injured walker on the Lake District fells.

Members of the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team were called to help a man who had tumbled and injured his head and arm while walking on the fells yesterday, Thursday.

Team chairman Richard Warren said: “The informant with the casualty was unable to give their location and attempts to get him to describe the location proved difficult. Eventually he was asked to send a picture of the view from his location by mobile phone.”

The rescuers quickly recognised the location as Broad Crag, in the Scafell range, and made their way to the site.

“Because of the potentially serious injuries from a 25m tumble fall, support from an RAF helicopter was requested,” Mr Warren said. The helicopter, from RAF Boulmer, arrived on the scene at the same time as the team and the casualty was airlifted to hospital in Whitehaven.

The rescuers had previously been called, about 3.45pm, to help a 77-year-old man suffering from leg cramp and unable to walk on the summit of Great Gable.

Mr Warren said: “To avoid a protracted and uncomfortable stretcher ride, assistance from an air ambulance was requested.

“North West Air Ambulance lifted four team members to the top of the 2,949ft [899m] mountain to assist the casualty’s companion and their dogs and then took the casualty down to the valley where he was given a lift to his own car. He did not require further medical treatment.”

The combined rescues took seven hours and involved 26 members of the Wasdale MRT.