Rescuers with the injured walkers at the scene. Photo: Keswick MRT
A walker suffered numerous injuries after she slipped and tumbled 50ft on England’s third-highest mountain.
Rescuers warned that the Lake District felltops are still in winter condition, with patches of hard, slippery snow.
The 64-yerar-old was descending the Brown Cove path on Helvellyn when she slipped and fell down a snowfield, suffering a head cut, possible back and pelvic injuries and a broken finger. She also sustained numerous other cuts and bruises.
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was alerted about 12.05pm on Wednesday.
A team spokesperson said: “Initially she was looked after by an off-duty ambulance man, and a felltop assessor, who were in the area at the time of the accident.
“This was in a location which we have visited on a number of occasions, as the path runs very close to the edge of the steep slope, and without the proper equipment it is very easy to slip.”
Team members were at the site within 52 minutes of being called out. The spokesperson said: “The casualty was treated at the scene, and stretchered down to Swirls car park to rendezvous with an ambulance.
“Fortunately, the team was able to sledge the stretcher of a large part of the way, much to the relief of the 10 team members who attended the scene. The casualty was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary for treatment.”
A total of 13 volunteers from Keswick MRT were involved in the incident.
The spokesperson added: “The fells remain in winter condition with compacted snow on paths and snow patches being hard and very slippery.
“Without crampons and an ice-axe, your chances of coming to grief are high. The wind today at high level was about 60mph and temperatures continue to be around freezing which, with the windchill, makes things very serious.
“We take no pleasure in coming out to folk who are unprepared and ill equipped.”
Detailed information on Lakeland weather is available on the Weatherline website.
Sheepy
16 March 2018Wasn't Alex Jones and The One Show from the BBC up there the other day attempting Swirral Edge without the appropriate equipment?
Apparently they had to settle for Catstye Cam instead of Helvellyn.
Reminds of the TV bod who was on here the other week trying to tell us how they were all about promoting safety in the mountains and not recklessness.
Margaret
17 March 2018Unintended consequences.
Mary
17 March 2018Many thanks to the rescue teams and their hard work.
I am nevertheless disappointed at the sentiment that the author of the article expresses no pleasure in coming out to folk who
are unprepared and ill equipped.
Surely a majority of those in need of their services are both of those things.
The concept of only wanting to rescue some deserving elite is worrying.
Wilf from Keswick
17 March 2018In reply to Mary.
This is a stick you haven't just grabbed the wrong end of but you've also managed to twist it as well.
heidi
17 March 2018Mary, I'm sure the spokesperson didn't mean they only want to rescue the 'deserving elite'! The number of ill equipped people I have seen on the fells recently beggers belief. They seem to have no concept of their own safety and the MRT are called out time after time after time to incidents which could be avoided.
Margaret
18 March 2018Rarely do we hear of someone heading off over the wintry Irish Sea in a sailing dingy without training and experience, but whenever someone tries something like that and has to be rescued there is often a public outcry.
However, if something similar happens on the hill . . .
Paul
19 March 2018The MRT spokesperson's words (not the author's) are mostly general 'be careful out there' without specific reference to this incident. Not unreasonably, the MRT would rather prevent incidents than attend them.
If we really want to twist their words, they could imply that the MRT DO take pleasure in coming out to those who suffer multiple injuries despite being well equipped and prepared.
The VOLUNTEERS of Keswick MRT managed to be on site in 52 minutes, which is about how long it takes most people to walk in to Brown Cove from Swirls anyway. Respect to them and their selfless contribution to the walking and climbing community.
Ling
19 March 2018Hello everyone I am the one who was rescued by Keswick MRT, and I would like to say a few words if I may.I fully understand the sentiment behind Mary's comment.We like to think we are not reckless and irresponsible people.
It was an on the spot decision to continue walking when the path was covered with snow. We were naively unaware that the slightest stumble could lead to one immediately sliding off the path and plunging uncontrollably down the mountainside.I hated myself for that decision and I don't know how many times I apologized for it to the MRT during my rescue.
The MRT's professionalism and commitment is beyond one's imagination, and I am lost for words to describe my gratitude for their actions.
I sustained a head injury with 2 cuts,1 broken rib, 1 broken thumb, severe pelvic bruising and various other heavily bruised body parts.I am extremely lucky to be alive.
MRT, I don't know all your names,other than Sarah, who was always beside me on the way down the mountain. I thank all of you with all my heart.
I would just like to say that I think a warning sign at the main entrance to the path, strongly advising walkers not to attempt to climb the snow covered sections of the path without the use of crampons, would deter all but the most foolhardy of people from making the mistake that I did. Maybe this would help ? I don't know........
Richard Warren
23 March 2018Ling’s feedback and final comments have struck a very constructive and positive thought in my mind re signage which I will pursue with the NT and LDNPA at the end of April. We are meeting to discuss how we can reduce the avoidables and also save a life. Really pleased that you had a very lucky escape. Feel free to contact me as your suggestion could be a real game changer to a difficult messaging problem. Richard Warren, LDSAMRA Chairman
Ling
23 March 2018Hi Richard, I am really pleased that you as the Chairman of LDSAMRA have picked up on my concern over the safety of mountain walking. I wasn't sure my suggestion would go anywhere. Walking is one of the most popular past-times in this country, with fell walking in the Lake District being a particular attraction.
We are keen walkers and have walked mountains higher than Helvellyn in Europe, but never in the wintry conditions. We were therefore not aware of how dangerous the mountains can be at this time of year, in particular the areas of snow which spread across the established paths.
What I have in mind is a board at the gate at the start of the path, giving information on the current conditions on the mountain, perhaps with a coloured flag system similar to that used on our dangerous beaches. Perhaps giving some statistics on the number of injuries and lost of lives may also help.
Please do your upmost to reduce further unnecessary heartbreak, injuries and loss of life.
Thank you so much for listening.
Margaret
23 March 2018Ling, I am trying to be positive here, and interested, as to why you feel you were,
" . . . naively unaware that the slightest stumble could lead to one immediately sliding off the path and plunging uncontrollably down the mountainside."
Especially as you say, "We are keen walkers and have walked mountains higher than Helvellyn in Europe . . . ".
For example, do you read any of the mountaineering/hillwalking magazines, use guide books or perhaps make use of a professional Guide while in the Alpes.
The answer might be useful for Richard.