Volunteers from Keswick Mountain Rescue Team had a busy 24 hours with three callouts.
At around 2.25pm yesterday, April 13, the team was called to Maiden Moor after a 64-year-old man was found lying near the path to Bull Crag.
The walker who found him called the police, who alerted mountain rescue.
The team said: “He had apparently been lying there for some time. The man was inadequately dressed for the conditions and was very cold. The informant was able to put more clothes on the man before helping him into a survival bag. To prevent further heat loss and encourage rewarming the informant was asked to climb into the survival bag as well which he selflessly did.”
The Great North Air Ambulance was also called out, due to the potentially serious nature of the incident.
The team added: “Whilst the team were making their way up from Hause Gate, Helimed 58 was able to land close to the casualty in very tricky flying conditions, do a quick pick up before flying back down to the valley to meet up with a team doctor who was able to do an assessment. The man was then transferred to Keswick hospital for further assessment.”
Around three hours earlier, at 11.25am the team was called to Sharp Edge.
Two women were attempting to climb it and reached the bad step but were unable to either continue or retreat due to the snowy conditions. A passer-by offered help, but slipped and fell a short distance.
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team said: “Fortunately he harmed only his pride. They decided to stay where they were and wait for mountain rescue. We attended the scene, rigged a safety line along the ridge for the casualties and equipped them with harnesses and helmets. They were assisted along the ridge then lowered to the Chicken Path. Both casualties were then walked back down to Mousethwaite Comb.”
Today, just after midnight, the team was alerted when an elderly couple walking the Coast to Coast failed to turn up at their accommodation at Seathwaite.
Searches in cafes and restaurants and a trip to Honister for a look did not find them, but the man eventually walked to Seathwaite Farm campsite and reported that his 80-year-old wife was stuck on a fell, near a waterfall, with cramp.
A spokesman said: “A small team set off from base. Meantime a team member, who had gone direct, spoke with the informant and confirmed the woman’s location as part way up Sour Milk Gill.
“The team quickly located the casualty, she had taken a fall causing a fracture to her elbow as well as sustaining a shoulder injury and she was very cold.
“A second truck left to assist with the stretcher carry and/or helicopter evacuation. A Coastguard helicopter was requested to attend, they provided a winch evacuation before airlifting the casualty to Glasgow major trauma centre.”
