A 60-year-old climber sustained serious head injuries after plunging 40ft from a Lake District rock face.
The man was leading on a route called ‘Gazebo’ on the south crag of Castle Rock of Triermain, in the Thirlmere valley, when the accident happened.
The rock protection the man had placed whilst climbing ripped out and he hit the ground before tumbling down a steep slope before coming to a stop when his rope came tight.
His belayer secured him to a tree with the ropes to prevent the casualty from sliding further down the slope before calling the emergency services.
An air ambulance was also scrambled due to the serious nature of the incident.
A Keswick mountain rescue team member who lives locally reached the scene first and was able to confirm the climber’s location and his condition.
Three mountain rescue vehicles were mobilised and 25 volunteers made for the scene.
A quick medical assessment was done and it was clear that the casualty needed to be moved away from the steep crumbling scree to allow for a proper assessment of his injuries.
After an awkward manoeuvre involving many hands the man was placed on a vacuum mattress and carefully lifted up the slope to a flatter and more stable surface.
Team medics and the doctor from the air ambulance were able to further assess and treat the casualty.
A Coastguard helicopter had also been requested to assist in the extraction of the casualty considering the awkwardness of his position and the seriousness of the injuries.
Being very close to the base of the crag and a tree it was necessary to stretcher the man to a clearer position so he could be winched into the Coast Guard helicopter.
He was then flown down to the air ambulance who then flew him to hospital in Preston.
