Rescuers with the injured walker at the scene above Mardale Head. Photo: Penrith MRT

A Lake District walker who had the misfortune to injure himself had the good fortune to be kept company by one of Britain’s top mountaineers while he waited for help.

The 70-year-old man slipped and injured his leg while walking near the Nan Bield Pass above Mardale Head.

Alan Hinkes, the only Briton to have summited all 14 of the world’s 8,000m mountains, came across the incident and comforted the man.

Penrith Mountain Rescue Team was alerted and asked for the help of their colleagues from the Kirkby Stephen team because of the possibility of a long stretcher carry from the site near Harter Fell.

MREW ambassador Alan Hinkes. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

A Penrith MRT spokesperson said: “On arrival at the casualty site, team members were delighted to find Alan Hinkes, Mountain Rescue England and Wales ambassador, keeping the casualty company and in good spirits.

“Members of the team splinted the casualty’s leg, transferred him to a stretcher and started to lower him off the hillside. Before too long Kirkby Stephen MRT arrived and helped us with the long carry out.

“The casualty was transported to Penrith hospital to be transferred on to Carlisle later.”

Twelve Penrith MRT volunteers were involved in the six-hour rescue.