Gable Crag, where the accident happened, on Central Gully. Photo: Masa Sakano

A man has died after falling on a Lake District crag.

Police today named the dead man as Alan Turner, 54, of Northallerton, North Yorkshire. Mr Turner was climbing with another man on Great Gable yesterday, Sunday, when the accident happened. His climbing companion is stable in hospital.

The men, who were roped together, were climbing a mixed route – which includes both ice and rock – on Central Gully on Great Gable’s north face when the fall happened.

The two climbers were found by walkers about 1.30pm

About 16 members of the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team went to the men’s aid. Wasdale MRT team leader Julian Carradice said Mr Turner was declared dead at the scene by the team’s doctor.

Mr Carradice said: “The helicopter from RAF Boulmer initially took the surviving casualty to hospital in Whitehaven.

“We didn’t expect it to come back because it was running short of fuel, so we began taking the deceased down by stretcher when they came back and they flew him to hospital in Carlisle.”

The man who suffered serious injuries is believed to be in his 50s and from the County Durham area. A police spokeswoman said he remains in a stable condition in West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven.

The coroner has been informed of Mr Turner’s death.