"He had been left to make his own way off Pen-y-ghent after complaining of feeling unwell."

So his companions, knowing he was feeling unwell, left him up there by himself?

Perhaps he needs new friends...?!

Many people choose to return to Horton in Ribblesdale after attempting PYG, passed half a dozen yesterday (possibly even this gentleman) - he wasn't left on the summit by his friends he chose to return - he is an adult and is responsible for his own safety. What he could have/should have done wasn't to kip in his car whilst his mates were looking for him, but it happens! - the fact his mates DID look for him and also alerted M.R. suggest he's made a good choice of friends!
Glad he was found safe which after all the fuss is over is all that matters and that lessons are shared.

I was just thinking that.

Funny how there's a polarising viewpoint over this incident. One poster sees it different from another. I'm also of the opinion that if the man left complaining of illness his mates were duty bound to have followed. I would have no hesitation in calling off a walk if one of my friends complained of being unwell - never would I have left him to fend his way down.

Secondly, how hard was it to have searched the man's car? Presumably thay all parked near each other.

Many ill people will attempt to reach the safety of their car - not only to sleep but even to collapse. What wasn't said is did he faint or collapse, then fell asleep inside the car? 3 hours is a long time.

Not sure if mobiles work near there. But mates could have tried to txt him.

My conclusion is they were in the pub and couldn't be bothered to look for him, expecting the man to join them. When he didn't appear, the MRT is only a phone call away!

To jhimmy, your conclusion is totally wrong. I was the one who left him at a check point after seeing him down to the other side of the first peak. He was fine for me to leave him at that point as he had recovered and was feeling better. he realised that it was not a good idea to continue the challenge. He had a couple of miles gentle walk back to the inn where we were staying. I then walked 7 miles onto the next check point where I had to pull out due to blistering and a knee strain. I raised the alarm when I returned to the inn to find that he was not in his bunk and none of the staff there had seen him. There was no phone signal and no way of contacting him to see where or how he was. The rest of our 20+ group were unaware of the situation as they were at least 20 minutes ahead by the time that we had descended the first peak. I had not met this guy until the evening before the walk and had no way of knowing if he came in his own car or had got a lift with somebody else in the party. This was the first walk of this calibre that i or any of the others had ever attempted. I was unsure what to do and thought long and hard before calling the mountain rescue. I believe it was the right thing to do. In hind sight I should have asked him to check in he with the staff at the inn upon his return. But I didn't. Next time we will ensure that we plan more thoroughly and plan for such eventualities. Overall, our walk was a great success with over £8000 raised for a children's cancer charity. I suggest that in future you give more thought before pontificating and making absurd assumptions as to what the rest of the party were doing. Regards,

Cheers Graham for the clarification. Yes, I see you had a hard decision. The article says "friends" and with that I assumed (like most reading it) that you knew him well etc.

I knew a pub was involved somewhere in the incident, though!

Sorry chaps, but I can't help but disagree on this.

Regardless of whether this fellow was a good friend or a little-known colleague, if it were me (and I am speaking solely for myself here) I could not in good conscience leave someone alone who stated that they could not continue.

It wouldn't matter to me if the route was 25 miles or 2.5 miles, if a person walking with me says that they cannot continue for reasons of ill health/exhaustion, I wouldn't leave them to it. I just couldn't do it.

I think I'd struggle to leave someone I didn't even know...

And without seeming to preach further, the first place I'd look if someone didn't show up would be their car.

If someone cannot get themselves to safety, then I'd have to wait with them until help arrives.

If, as you say, this chap has indicated that he could manage (by truth or bravado...), then if you were in a group of several, could one person not have stayed with him?

Thanks to all for your opinions. Planning for this kind of eventuality will be in the forefront of our minds when we make another attempt next spring. Hopefully the weather will be a little cooler! Kind regards, Graham