Team members stretcher the injured walker from the fell. Photo: Cockermouth MRT

Bad weather prevented two helicopters from airlifting an injured walker from a Lake District fell.

The 55-year-old woman fell about 20-30ft from the path alongside Scale Beck on Friday.

Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 2.35pm and members made their way to the site above Scale Force near Buttermere.

Team members were joined by a doctor and paramedic from the Great North Air Ambulance Service, who made their way to the site from the valley bottom where the helicopter had landed.

The walker suffered head and shoulder injuries in her fall.

A Cockermouth MRT spokesperson said: “Due to the technical nature of the ground for a stretcher carry evacuation to the air ambulance, a Coastguard rescue helicopter was requested by the team leader, to winch the casualty from the scene.

“Unfortunately, the weather deteriorated with low cloud and fog coming in, which prevented the Coastguard helicopter from being able to assist.

Bad weather prevented the helicopters reaching the site. Photo: Cockermouth MRT

“Also, due to the poor weather the air ambulance had to take off from the valley and return to base when they got a break in the cloud, leaving the team with a stretcher carry back to Buttermere village.

“The casualty was transferred from there to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle by road ambulance.

“Many thanks as always to the crews of both helicopters for their help and efforts to assist. Sometimes, the Cumbrian weather just means its Hobson’s choice and Shanks’s Pony!”

The rescue involved 20 volunteers from the Cockermouth team.