Team members and the North West Air Ambulance at the rescue site. Photo: Keswick MRT

A walker was airlifted from a Lake District fell after injuring himself.

The 60-year-old was walking with a friend on the Sty Head path on Wednesday when he strained a calf muscle badly.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team, which was called out to help about 1.30pm, said this was exacerbated by his Parkinson’s disease.

A team spokesperson said: “Although he made a great effort to get off the hill, it was too much and he came to a stop at the bridge below Sty Head.

“The team set off to Seathwaite fairly short-handed but fortunately the North West Air Ambulance was able to attend, and was able to land close to the casualty. After the casualty had been assessed the crew flew him to West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven for treatment.”

Keswick MRT members stood by until the helicopter had taken off, then accompanied the man’s companion off the fell and gave him a lift to Keswick so he could make his way round to rejoin his friend.

The rescue lasted almost four hours and involved nine team members.