Ken Blakeman. Photo: Kinder MRT

Mountain rescuers are mourning one of their team members after he collapsed and died while on a callout.

Kinder Mountain Rescue Team stalwart Ken Blakeman was heading on to Kinder Scout on Saturday when the incident happened.

The 69-year-old, of Great Moor, Stockport, was one of the volunteers who had been called out to help a young person undertaking a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition who was in distress.

A team spokesperson said Mr Blakeman collapsed on the hill during the afternoon callout. Despite efforts to save him by teammates and an air ambulance crew, the rescuer was pronounced dead on arrival at Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.

Ken Blakeman was the Kinder MRT chairman and also chaired the umbrella body for all the area’s teams, the Peak District Mountain Rescue Organisation.

Team leader Neale Pinkerton said: “Ken was a true gentleman, the nicest man you could hope to meet.

“He never had a bad word to say about anyone and was always ready to help others, whatever the time, weather or season. Mountain rescue in general and Kinder team particularly have lost a great friend.

“Ken was a full and active member of the team, regularly out on the hill during callouts and will be sadly missed but fondly remembered for his humility, warmth and generous spirit, always ready to offer encouragement, support or advice to team members old and new.”

Mr Blakeman leaves a wife, Sandra, and sons Paul and Carl.