The Patterdale MRT boat was launched after reports of an aeroplane crash

A mountain rescue team launched its specialist rescue boat after reports a light aircraft had crashed into a Cumbrian lake.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team members had just returned to their base yesterday after rescuing an injured mountain biker.

They were alerted about 3.20pm when they received information a plane had gone into Ullswater near Pooley Bridge.

A team spokesperson said: “Team members quickly got the rescue boat ready and launched Patrick Scotty from Glenridding Steamer Pier.

“As they were underway further information was received that this was possibly a microlight that had skimmed above the lake and carried on. It was established that the team were not needed and so returned to the rescue base to carry on sorting equipment and get ready for the next callout.”

The picture on Twitter shows a plane touching the lake surface

A later posting on Twitter by another user suggested the alert was caused by a light aircraft deliberately ‘skimming’ the surface of the lake before flying away.

The incident prompted a major operation by emergency services, with a no-fly order imposed in the area by the Civil Aviation Authority and Whitehaven Coastguard called out, along with police and fire and rescue crews.