The man fell on steep ground beside Piers Gill

A walker was airlifted from the slopes of England’s highest mountain after suffering serious injuries in a fall.

The man, in his 70s, fell on steep broken ground beside Piers Gill on Scafell Pike yesterday.

A spokesperson for Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team, which was called out at 5.30pm, said: “He had sustained minor injuries to the head and shoulder and a significant chest injury.”

He was treated at the scene by team members and a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter from HMS Gannet in Ayrshire flew the walker to West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven for further treatment.

The rescue, the team’s 55th of 2012, lasted four hours and involved 20 volunteer team members.