The man fell from Striding Edge. Photo: Bob Smith/grough
A walker was airlifted from a Lake District mountain after falling 60ft from a ridge.
The man suffered head injuries in the incident on Striding Edge on Helvellyn on Sunday.
Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was called out by police about 9.55am.
A team spokesperson said: “Due to the nature of the injuries a Coastguard rescue helicopter, which was in the area providing training to Lake District mountain rescue teams, flew to the scene but was unable to access the casualty site due to poor weather.”
However, the aircraft was able to airlift rescue team members and their equipment on to the mountain, close to the scene of the man’s fall.
The spokesperson said: “On arrival the casualty was assessed and the improving weather allowed for the casualty, who had been packaged on a stretcher, to be winched from scene.”
The injured walker was then flown to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle for further treatment.
J White
26 January 2020I don't think any of the higher fells can be underestimated in the winter months yet people still take risks and appear oblivious of the dangers. A few years ago we went up the 'easy route' via Little Man in thick snow with icy foot steps and put crampons on for the latter part. A couple of men commented after they'd passed in a rather sneery way we could hear that it wasn't nearly bad enough for crampons and some people just liked showing off. Maybe not, but the grip the crampons gave reduced the effort needed for that final section while other people were slipping and relying on poles for stability. I'd rather show off and be safe if there's enough snow cover on the rocks to make crampons a safe option.
Dan
26 January 2020You’re just showing off again though aren’t you. A bit sneery.
Local fellwalker
26 January 2020The lakes and mountains are best enjoyed for the views any normal person who does not understand the conditions and changing conditions on the fells, especially when the weather forcast predict severe conditions (wind and rain) should be expected to pay the premium when recovered.
Iam sure the MTR team would have preferred not to have been called out today !
Darren
26 January 2020Crampons wouldn’t be great to run in.
Hograt
26 January 2020Accidents hapoen to even the most skilled and prepared.
Speedy recovery to the IP.
As always, much respect to MRT and SAR.
Scott
26 January 2020Wishing them a speedy recovery, well done mrt as always!
Carlos
26 January 2020as said accidents happen to even the most experienced and well equipped... It could happen to any one of us that venture out on the fells....Just hope the IP makes a full recovery.
Steuart
27 January 2020If you,feel you need to put crampons on then it's time to put crampons on. Ignore the idiots!
Jeff Breen
27 January 2020If its your judhement that you need crampons then its the right call. Problems occur when you try to put them on late. e.g. on a steep slope, and that can be dangerous if yoy slip while putting them on.
Marianne
27 January 2020We were up there just after he fell and there was no snow or ice on striding edge, only on the summit of helvellyn. I believe he fell because he had gone off the path to rescue his dog, to the steeper section to the side of striding edge. So lack of crampons was not the issue here.
OldManOfTheHills
28 January 2020I hate crampons on wet rock as tripping a greater hazard than just boots. However I certainly would take them up Striding Edge if I didn't know it was ice free. However if Marianne is correct the walker fell by being unable to control their dog.
WTF
Judgement is needed in the hills and some walkers and climbers seem to lack common sense
Colin
29 January 2020Save your judgement for the hills old man.