Rescuers with the mountain biker and the air ambulance. Photo: Keswick MRT

A mountain biker was airlifted to hospital from a Lake District fellside after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest.

The incident happened on Thursday near the Bowderstone in Borrowdale.

A passing couple began cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the 67-year-old and raised the alarm. Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was alerted about 1.20pm and team doctors were joined by a first responder, ambulance staff and members of the Great North Air Ambulance Service in treating the cyclist.

A Keswick MRT spokesperson said: “Following treatment the man was stretchered a short distance to the land ambulance for transfer to Helimed 58 [the Great North Air Ambulance] which flew him to hospital.”

The incident lasted 1½ hours and involved 15 volunteers from Keswick MRT.