Keswick Mountain Rescue Team in action during the rescue on Puddingstone Bank near Watendlath
A teenager on a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition was airlifted from a Lakeland fell after collapsing.
The 16-year-old was on a training venture on Puddingstone Bank near Watendlath in Borrowdale yesterday when he lost consciousness.
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 11.40am and both the team’s doctors and a paramedic went to the scene.
The rescuers requested both an air ambulance and an RAF helicopter as they believed the windy conditions might have prevented the civilian ambulance landing.
A team spokesperson said: “The team was on the scene very swiftly, and the casualty was assessed and then packaged for evacuation by air ambulance, which managed to land fairly close by.
“He was then flown to the West Cumberland Hospital [in Whitehaven] for treatment.
The rescue, the team’s seventh of the year, involved 14 volunteer members and lasted 1¼ hours.
Paul B
01 February 2013The D of E 'season' is from April to October!
What were these young people doing on the fells?'
All for challenge but not foolhardiness.
Margaret
02 February 2013As posted in the recent DofE stove incident - is DofE training as good as it used to be?
Ralph
02 February 2013Some of the training is now provided by commercial outfits that DofE has a business relationship with, does the finance aspect impact on quality?
When local authorities etc. had staff things seem to have been much more robust and leaders at schools etc. could access sound advice and training at low cost if not free.
Mark
02 February 2013What idiot let a group go out on February I've been an expedition instructor and assessor for 23 years there is no way I would allow a group out in to the hills even if it is only training. What happened to common sense. Who ever signed that trip off should not be in that position as it is obvious they do not know anything about the award or expeditions. I just hope every one involved is now safe and well
Rossco
02 February 2013Paul B mentions that "the DoE season is April to October", but this really only applies to expeds with overnight camping. This incident probably occured on a day walk in conditions applicable to meet the requirements of the risk assessment (i.e. on a pathed route with no snow or ice, at a reasonably low altitude, etc.).
If we can't take young people out into the hills at this time of year (in permissable conditions with qualified/ experienced staff) and continue to keep them wrapped up in cotton wool in nice, warm buildings with computer games on, then i'm glad i grew up walking in the hills 20yrs ago!
Paul B
04 February 2013Rossco, I agree with your view and support it, we need more detail of the incident to comment fully.
All I offered was what the D of E have determined the season when their activities should happen.