Wasdale MRT and Duddon and Furness MRT members stretcher a walker who suffered a knee injury from Scafell Pike at the weekend. Photo: Wasdale MRT

Rescue teams in the Lake District have been kept busy over the past eight days with teams in the area called out 21 times, a quarter of which were to help lost and missing people on the fells.

Richard Warren, the chair of the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association, the umbrella body for the 12 teams, said those incidents could have been avoided with better preparation.

The Wasdale team’s services were particularly in demand, with eight callouts in six days.

Mr Warren said: “The team experienced a very busy few days for its volunteers with at least one rescue every day with two 999 mountain rescue callouts on two of the days.”

The rescues included serious trauma injuries, critical medical emergencies and lost and missing groups on Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain.

On Tuesday, Mr Warren said Wasdale MRT dealt with a medical emergency on Great Gable. “A walker suffering life threatening chest pains had to be stretchered and airlifted to Blackpool from the valley bottom for a life-saving operation.

“Walkers and those venturing out into the great outdoors are being encouraged to visit a safety information website AdventureSmart UK. This provides information on the right equipment, weather reports and skills needed to be safe on our hills.

“So stay safe: #BeAdventureSmart and make your good day better.”