The team is based in the village of Coniston in the Lake District

The team is based in the village of Coniston in the Lake District

Another Cumbrian rescue team has revealed it had a record-breaking year for callouts.

Coniston Mountain Rescue Team dealt with 66 incidents in 2015, the highest total in its history.

Nearby team Kendal MRT said earlier this week it too had broken records for callouts.

Coniston Mountain Rescue Team, which has the Old Man of Coniston, Grizedale Forest and the western shore of Windermere in its patch, saw a 53 per cent increase in incidents last year compared to 2014.

This was the highest total in the volunteer team’s 69-year history, up almost 27 per cent on the previous busiest year, 2012.

Deputy team leader Jeff Carroll said: “It’s difficult to pick out specific trends, although mountain bike accidents seem to be back on the increase and there’s the usual mix of people who set out without proper preparation or equipment.

“Then there’s been the flooding where the team was involved both locally and further afield. Overall it’s just been busier than ever.”

Team leader Rob Ingham paid tribute his colleagues: “Coniston is a relatively small community and we draw members from Hawkshead and both north and south of the village.

“I’d like to thank all the team members and their families who support them, for turning out time and again in all weathers at all times of the day – and night.

“They’re a great bunch with some real characters.”

  • The team was in action on Tuesday evening when 14 of its members went to the aid of a woman in her 60s who fell while walking on Park Fell above Skelwith Bridge.

Coniston MRT was alerted about 5.25pm and treated the walker for a knee injury before stretchering her from the fell to an ambulance which took her to Furness General Hospital in Barrow in Furness for further treatment.

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