Rescuers signal to the approaching RAF Sea King at the site. Photo: Keswick MRT

A climber was airlifted to hospital after suffering spinal injuries in a 30ft fall on a Lake District crag.

The 69-year-old man hit the ground when he fell 10m on Goat Crags near Watendlath on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for Keswick Mountain Rescue Team, which responded to the callout about 7.50pm, said: “This call initially went to another Team, as there are a number of Goat Crags in the area, but was quickly re-routed to Keswick.”

The team said the climber suffered head, chest and spinal injuries in the fall.

The spokesperson said: “The team mobilised swiftly, and were on scene within 25 minutes. A request was made for a Sea King helicopter to winch him from the scene. While this was en route, the climber was treated at the scene, and splinted ready for evacuation.”

A helicopter from RAF Boulmer flew to the site and flew the injured man to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne for further treatment.

The 2¼-hour rescue involved 19 volunteers from Keswick MRT.