The Kirkstone Pass rises to almost 1,500ft. Photo: John Holmes CC-BY-SA-2.0

Mountain rescuers were called out to aid an injured driver on a Lake District pass after a two-vehicle crash in snow and ice.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team said they advised other motorists to use an alternative route to the Kirkstone Pass between Ambleside and Patterdale, which had many stricken vehicles.

The team was called out at 11am on Sunday to join other emergency services to free the man who was stuck in his vehicle on the descent of the pass from its 455m (1,493ft) summit northwards.

A team spokesperson said: “The team arrived on scene alongside the air ambulance crew, the fire brigade and North West Ambulance service and a multi-agency operation to remove the man took place.

“He was stretchered to a waiting land ambulance for onward transportation to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

“The occupants of the other vehicle involved were uninjured so they were taken by the team to a place of safety.

“The Kirkstone Pass road was littered with vehicles and the team had to suggest to many motorists heading over the pass that they really should turn around and make a route diversion to their intended destination.”

The incident lasted three hours and involved 19 Patterdale MRT volunteers.