Brown Cove, with Swirral Edge centre left

Experts have stressed the importance of carrying the right equipment on the Lake District’s mountains after a man fell 200m from England’s third highest mountain.

The walker, from York, was airlifted from the fell after slipping and falling from Swirral Edge into Brown Cove. Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team went to the aid of the man who had been descending from Helvellyn.

A passing walker who had gone to the stricken man’s aid was also airlifted by the Sea King helicopter from HMS Gannet at Prestwick.

Following the rescue, a spokesperson for the team said: “Patterdale rescue team would like to stress the importance of carrying ice axes and crampons with the summits, edges and gullies now in winter conditions.”

The team was also called out at the same time to help colleagues from the Kendal Mountain Rescue Team who were searching for two walkers who had got lost above Kentmere.

The spokesperson said: “It was thought that the man and woman, who had separated from their companions, might have descended to Hartsop via Hayeswater Dam.

“The missing walkers’ companions were located at Patterdale. The two missing people themselves were eventually found by the Kendal team at Kentmere. Both were all safe and well but a bit shaken by their experience.”

In January this year, Bolton walker Michael Hollinshead died when he was off Helvellyn’s 950m (3,117ft) summit plateau and fell 300m (985ft) into Brown Cove. Four days later, David Burke died after falling from Striding Edge, the arête on the opposite side of the Red Tarn corrie on Helvellyn.