The man fell from Striding Edge towards Red Tarn

The man fell from Striding Edge towards Red Tarn

Rescuers warned the Lake District’s mountains are still in the grip of winter after being called out to England’s third-highest mountain for the second time in 24 hours.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team said a man was ‘extremely lucky’ to have survived a fall from Striding Edge on Helvellyn.

The team’s volunteers were called out about 4.35pm on Thursday.

A team spokesperson said: “A 999 call to Cumbria police stated that the man had fallen from the top of Striding Edge, landing almost at Red Tarn. He had sustained some injuries including a suspected broken ankle.

“He was extremely lucky to have survived a fall from this height.

“Given the nature of the reported incident the team immediately called both an air ambulance and the Coastguard helicopter from Prestwick, Scotland, in an attempt to get help to the injured man as quickly as possible and planning for rapid evacuation.

“The Blackpool-based air ambulance had to abort its mission as it was unable to access the patient and the Coastguard helicopter then arrived to winch the man from scene about 6.10pm while team members were climbing to the incident.”

The man was flown to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle for treatment.

Team leader Mike Blakey said: “I cannot stress enough that Helvellyn is in full winter conditions.

“Just take a look at the video on our Facebook page. If anyone is considering venturing onto Helvellyn they must be properly equipped with an ice axe and crampons and the knowledge as to how to use them.

“We want everyone to enjoy the stunning mountains safely.”

The rescue involved 19 Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team members along with colleagues from the Penrith team.

Some articles the site thinks might be related:

  1. Cricket ball injury among a hat-trick of callouts for Patterdale rescue team
  2. Blencathra walker rescued after getting stuck on Sharp Edge as heatwave ends
  3. Lakeland walker stretchered from slopes of Skiddaw after injuring ankle
  4. Police appeal for sightings of missing Knoydart walker Ian Stalker
  5. Rescuers called out to injured and lost walkers on Bleaklow and Kinder