Rescuers stretcher the injured walker from the fell. Photo: Keswick MRT

Rescuers stretcher the injured walker from the fell. Photo: Keswick MRT

A mountain rescue team was delayed by a locked gate when it was called out to rescue a Lake District walker.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was alerted at 3.50pm on Sunday after a 64-year-old woman slipped and injured her ankle badly.

The woman was with an organised group in Coledale, near Braithwaite.

A team spokesperson said: “The team set off to Braithwaite with two vehicles full of personnel, but was then confronted by a locked gate, where the padlock had been changed by the landowner.

“This meant that the team was faced with a 3.5km hike with all the kit, rather than a 10-minute drive to be within 200m of the casualty site.

“While a search for a suitable key was put in place, control checked on the availability of the air ambulance, given that it would be some time before the team could be on scene, and Cockermouth MRT was asked to send some extra team members in case the patient had to be carried out.

“After some delay, a key was located, and the team vehicles and an ambulance were able to access the site. The other assets were then able to stand down.”

The injured walker’s leg was splinted at the scene and she was stretchered off the fell. The ambulance then took her to the Cumberland Infirmary for further treatment.

The spokesperson said: “Our thanks to Cockermouth MRT for a swift response to our request for assistance.”

The 2½-hour rescue involved 13 volunteers from Keswick MRT.

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