The injured walker is winched into the Coastguard helicopter. Photo: Patterdale MRT

A man was airlifted from Helvellyn after breaking his ankle.

The 60-year-old from north-east England slipped while traversing Striding Edge on Saturday.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was alerted by police at 2pm after the injured walker called for help.

A team spokesperson said: “Sixteen team members responded and made their way up to the scene in warm sunny conditions.

“Due to the remoteness of the location, a decision was made to request assistance from the Coastguard and a rescue helicopter was scrambled from Prestwick.

“The casualty was assessed by a team first aider and his ankle was splinted. He was then winched from Striding Edge by the aircraft and flown to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle where a fracture to his right ankle was confirmed.”

The rescue lasted about four hours.