Rescuers and the Coastguard helicopter at the scene on Dodd. Photo: Keswick MRT

Two helicopters were used in the rescue of a mountain biker who suffered serious injuries in a crash on a Lake District fell.

The 53-year-old was on Dodd, north-west of Keswick, on Sunday when he came off his machine near the summit of the 502m (1,647ft) hill.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 10.50am, and immediately sent a Land Rover to the scene.

A team spokesperson said: “In the meantime, the Great North Air Ambulance arrived from Langwathby, but the nearest it could land was at Mirehouse.

“A team vehicle ferried the medical crew members up to the casualty site, and a second team vehicle brought up further team personnel.

“It was decided that the difficulty of access, and the nature of injury, warranted a request for a Coastguard winching helicopter. Fortunately an S-92 was immediately available, as it was refuelling in Carlisle.”

The injured man was airlifted from the site and flown immediately to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

The incident involved 12 volunteers from the Keswick team for more than 2¼ hours.