Incident Reports 2014

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Incident Report #106 2014

A couple phoned 999 when they became lost on the back of what they reported as Bowfell. Their call went through to Manx police, who in turn passed it on the ARCC Kinloss, who then contacted us. We were unable to recontact them to try and get more information about their location, so a search was organised. They were located at Cockley Beck as the search teams were deploying. A Seaking was on its way to assist to try and make best use of a spell of stable weather that we were enjoying but was able to turn back once they had been located

Man Hours
17 team members for 3.5 hours
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY2466301689

Incident Report #105 2014

A man went walking, having told his wife and friends that he was going over Pike O'Blisco and Crinkle Crags. He failed to return. Team members searched overnight, assisted by members of RAF Leeming MRT and Lake's search dogs, but we failed to find him. A second search was being organised first thing on Sunday when he phoned police from Borrowdale, stating that he had made it down safely. It was long, cold, wet and windy night which made for very challenging conditions for team members
Man Hours
10 team members for 12 hours, plus additional 6 team members for 1 hour, plus RAF Leeming MRT, LDSMRD and Kendal MRT
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY248050

Incident Report #103 2014

A family group of three became benighted when they ran out of daylight and only had the torch from a phone. A small scale search was organised, and during this we managed to activate SARLOC, which located them on the ridge. They were escorted down by team members.

Man Hours
8 team members for 3 hours
Incident Type
Location
OS Grid Reference
NY4015105074

Incident Report #102 2014

A handful of team members were in base repacking after the previous days efforts when one remarked on how long it had been since we had a long night search on Crinkle Crag... Eight hours later the Team Leader took a call from the Aeronautical Rescue Command Centre in Kinloss, reporting an activation of an emergency beacon in the vicinity of Crinkle Crags. Almost simultaneously we received notification of a 999 call reporting a group of 5 cragfast and benighted on Crinkle Crags...

Man Hours
11 team members for 9 hours
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY244052

Incident Report #99 2014

A 63-year-old man, walking with his son became unable to continue due to exhaustion. He was located by team members and assisted down to Lingcove Beck and back to the road. Kendal MRT joined us in the event of a long stretcher carry... avoided by the gentleman's efforts to walk down.

Man Hours
13 team members for 7.5 hours, plus Kendal MRT
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY244056

Incident Report #97 2014

An elderly male separated from his wife and subsequently benighted. She returned to their hotel and reported him missing. A hasty search was organised around the Alcock Tarn area, and he was located, sitting in the dark, waiting patiently for rescue... He was assisted off the hill and returned to his hotel, wife and hopefully, dinner...

Man Hours
18 team members for 2.75 hours, including 2 of the team's search dogs
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY374082

Incident Report #96 2014

A pair of walkers got in to difficulty, initially on the summit of Harrison Stickle. They were unable to locate a safe way off the summit in poor visibility. They were given directions off the top and a small group was sent to meet them because they had no torches and would run out of daylight before they got down. Before they could be located they missed the path again, becoming cragfast on steep ground, with darkness adding to the poor visibility. They were eventually located and evacuated to safe ground.
Man Hours
12 team members for 5 hours, plus Kendal MRT
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY2802507200

Incident Report #88 2014

A third fell race competitor was injured in a fall, this time fracturing a wrist. This incident was also reported separately at two different locations, but confirmed near the summit of Bowfell. This incident was delegated primarily to Kendal MRT. The casualty was picked up by the helicopter, still with the previous casualty on board, and taken to hospital.

Man Hours
5 team members for 3 hours, plus Kendal MRT
Incident Type
Location
OS Grid Reference
NY214066

Incident Report #87 2014

A second competitor fell and sustained a nasty gash to the knee. Plans were made to split team resources, and further assistance was requested from Kendal and Coniston MRT. This casualty was reported in two separate locations, once on the back of Rossett Pike and again on the path down from Rossett Ghyll, but we eventually worked out that the person we met in Rossett Ghyll was the person injured on Rossett Pike. They were assisted to the valley bottom and back to their own transport to go to hospital.

Man Hours
6 team members for 3 hours
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY2500008900

Incident Report #86 2014

A competitor in a fell race took a tumble and sustained a suspected dislocated knee. He was treated by team members and evacuated by RAF Seaking. This was the first of four incidents, all running concurrently, that we dealt with. The initial request for helicopter assistance was complicated by an aircraft breakdown, but a second aircraft was made available from RAF Valley to help

Man Hours
16 team members for 3 hours, plus Coniston MRT
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY2358508078

Incident Report #82 2014

A 33-year-old male fell about 4 metres while climbing, landing on his feet and injuring both ankles. There is potential for a fall of this nature to cause other injuries, masked by the pain in the ankles, so the man was splinted in a full-body vacuum splint as a precaution and then evacuated to the air ambulance waiting in the valley bottom. He was then flown to hospital

Man Hours
10 team members for 2 hours
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY298068

Incident Report #81 2014

A solo male walker tripped and sustained a knee injury, and was left feeling unwell also. Help was requested but the 999 call drooped out, so an exact location was difficult to establish. The team attended, and while going up one side of Pike O'Blisco, the injured man was helped down the other! We found him at Langdale campsite, where he was checked over, given some pain relief and continued on his way
Man Hours
14 team members for 2 hours
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY266045

Incident Report #80 2014

Lights reportedly flashing a distress signal were spotted on The Band. There were several separate reports. A couple of team members went to investigate. It seems possible that some unidentified helicopter had been in the area, but had since moved on. False alarm with good intent
Man Hours
3 team members for 2 hours
OS Grid Reference
NY256058

Incident Report #77 2014

The previous incident had only just concluded when we were called to assist two climbers on Gimmer Crag. One had sustained a suspected fractured lower leg and the other one had suffered concussion. With help from both air ambulance and a Royal Navy Seaking the two men were evacuated to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle

Man Hours
18 team members for 7 hours
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY2772207055

Incident Report #75 2014

A group of five reported themselves as in difficulty, but due to poor phone coverage it was unclear what the difficulty was or were they where with any accuracy. A group of team members where dispatched to investigate and found that some of the group had self-rescued and the remainder required limited assistance. A minor injury that had been worsened by being 'encouraged' to push on despite pain, and a lack of sufficient torches amongst the group may have played a part in their problems
Man Hours
8 team members for 2 hours
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY253072

Incident Report #74 2014

A search for two males rapidly spread to involve four teams; Langdale Ambleside, Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team, Keswick MRTs and Lake District Mountain Rescue Searchdogs for two young men, lost on their way back to Langdale on an ambitious walk to Scafell Pike.

The initial search took place in appalling weather with strong winds, low clouds and heavy rain and sleet. When all search plans had been carried out by 5:30am, the search was scaled down with a view to catching a nap, and some food and drink and scaling up.

Man Hours
17 team members for 16 hours plus Wasdale, Keswick, Kendal, Duddon and Furness MRTs, plus Lake District Mountain Search and Rescue Dogs and an RAF SAR helicopter
Incident Type
Location
OS Grid Reference
NY238051

Incident Report #67 2014

Three adults phoned 999 and reported themselves in difficulty in the Scafell area, reporting sleet and strong winds and being very cold. Wasdale MRT attempted to locate them from around 3:30pm, but could find them, or re-contact them. When there was still no trace of them by 8pm the attempts to locate them was widened. Car parks in valleys in Borrowdale, Eskdale and Langdale were checked for a vehicle reported as belonging to them.
Man Hours
2 team members for 1.5 hours
Incident Type
Location
OS Grid Reference
NY2845105653

Incident Report #66 2014

A man and his granddaughter were reported overdue from a walk round the fells at the end of Langdale. Last seen about 4pm on Bowfell summit, they turned up at Keswick MRT base at around 21:20 while a couple of team members where checking that they weren't making their way down Mickleden.
Man Hours
2 team members for 1.5 hours
Incident Type
Location
OS Grid Reference
NY2442006500

Incident Report #65 2014

Three men reported themselves on difficulty when one of their two tents was destroyed by strong winds. After lengthy discussions, it was decided that they would stay up there in there in their one remaining tent and make their way down in daylight. They re-contacted next day to confirm that they had got down safely
Man Hours
1 team member for 3 hours
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY2891507945

Incident Report #62 2014

Almost simultaneous to the previous incident we were alerted to a second near Alcock Tarn in Grasmere. A woman had slipped and suffered a suspected fracture to her ankle. She was treated by team members and evacuated to an ambulance waiting on the road below.
Man Hours
10 team members for 2.5 hours, plus Kendal MRT on standby if needed
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY347075

Incident Report #59 2014

A lone female walker phoned for help when she became lost on Crinkle Crag. She was located by SARLOC and after lengthy attempts to point her in the right direction, we decided to send a couple of people up to get her. At this point two others walked past her and offered to guide her down. We left them to do this.

Man Hours
4 team members for 1 hour
Incident Type
Location
OS Grid Reference
NY2503605025

Incident Report #57 2014

A father and three children were reported several hours overdue from a walk over Crinkle Crags and Bowfell, by the wife/mother, who had parted company with them at Ore Gap. She had returned to their campsite expecting them to be ahead. While preliminary enquiries were being made, they turned up in Keswick.

Man Hours
3 team members for 1 hour
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY2403207191

Incident Report #54 2014

Just returned from previous rescue when we were called to attend a RTC on Wrynose Pass, where a car was reported as having rolled off the road. There were actually two vehicles off the road, one on Wrynose and one on Hardknott. Nobody was injured and the team stood own.

Man Hours
20 team members for 1 hour
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY282031

Incident Report #53 2014

A group descending Dungeon Ghyll allowed their dog to run free and become stuck on steep ground. Group members tried to recover the dog, while others called 999 and asked for assistance. In an attempt to avoid human casualties on this area of steep ground, the team was deployed to recover the dog. We were on route when we were alerted to the fact that the dog had been recovered by a team member who had been climbing in the area. Much loved as your average dog is, you have to question whether it's worth a human life.. especially given the norm were the animal self rescues...

Man Hours
13 team members for 1.5 hours
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY280729

Incident Report #46 2014

A group of young people were camping at the tarn as part of an expedition. They decided to walk further uphill to watch the sunset. One of them became separated from the rest and subsequently suffered a fall. He sustained multiple injuries, including his head, pelvis and arm. He phoned for help, but was fairly vague about where he was. We managed to locate his companion's camp, and subsequently him. He was treated by team members and airlifted to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle.

Man Hours
17 team members for 6 hours
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY3037409101

Incident Report #38 2014

A couple became cragfast after getting on to steep ground and slipping down some wet rock that they were then unable to get back up. The were recovered by team members and assisted back down. A map, compass and a sense of self-preservation might have helps... We were assisted by some Norwegian rescuers who have been visiting us for a few days http://www.folkehjelp.no/

Man Hours
9 team members for 3 hours, plus members of Norske Folkjenhelp
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY286040

Incident Report #30 2014

We were requested to assist North West Ambulance Service with locating a patient who was reported in the vicinity of Old Dungeon Ghyll, but who could not be found. The patient was eventually located at the National Trust campsite and her head injury treated by team members, who waited with her until an ambulance arrived

Man Hours
3 team members for 3 hours
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY263072

Incident Report #25 2014

A man sustained a painful upper arm injury on Climbers Traverse. His injury proved very difficult to stabilise on the difficult terrain, however with a substantial amount of pain relief and fortitude, the man was treated by team members and evacuated to a location below the cloudbase with help from Kendal and RAF Leeming MRT, from where he was evacuated by helicopter from RAF Boulmer at the second attempt.
Man Hours
23 team members for 8.5 hours plus Kendal, RAF Leeming MRTs and RAF Boulmer
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY247065

Incident Report #24 2014

A SPOT device was activated in the Rossett Crag area. ARCC Kinloss made initial inquiries as to the nature of the problem, but were unable to get much useful information. On the basis that the most likely users of this device was a group of 5 young people, the team was called to investigate.

Man Hours
16 team members for 2 hours
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY252076

Incident Report #23 2014

Two young men poned for assistance when they got lost near Bowfell summit. It proved very difficult to contact them, but eventually we managed a brief conversation. It's not certain that they were where they thought they were, but we did our best to give them direction and get them moving in the right direction during the remaining daylight. We failed, and lost contact for several hours, and were just about to scale up the search, with team members returning from Grasmere, when we were told that they had found their way to Brotherilkeld.

Man Hours
4 team members for 5 hours
Incident Type
Location
OS Grid Reference
NY244066

Incident Report #22 2014

Almost simultaneous to incident 21, we were called to assist a man who had suffered an episode of blurred vision, slurred speech. The team was called and we were on route when we were informed that his friends had managed to get him down and in to the pub, and only the ambulance was required. The air ambulance had previously turned back to due poor weather. Team members on their way to this incident were re-routed to Grasmere
Man Hours
5 team members for 1 hour
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY287075

Incident Report #21 2014

A 17-year-old girl suffered a knee injury and was unable to continue her walk. The team was called, and due to a simultaneous call to Stickle Tarn, Kendal MRT were requested to assist. The young woman was treated by team members and then evacuated by stretcher. It's a long slog up and a long slog back... and it was wet..!

Man Hours
20 team members for 5 hours, plus Kendal MRT
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY292105

Incident Report #20 2014

A small group of team members assisted Patterdale MRT with an incident in their area. Our Autopulse was deployed and our team doctor flew to hospital in a Royal Navy Seaking with the casualty and Autopulse. Keswick MRT, Cumbria Fire Service, NWAS and police were all involved.

Man Hours
4 team members for 3 hours
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY3783318617

Incident Report #18 2014

A couple reported themselves as unable to locate a route off Bowfell summit. They had been struggling for 2 hours or more. A small team was dispatched to try and locate them before it went dark. While this group were on route, the couple managed to get a handheld GPS to work sufficient for them to locate a route. No comment

Man Hours
14 team members for 1.5 hours
Incident Type
Location
OS Grid Reference
NY245065

Incident Report #17 2014

A young male was reported overdue at the guest house where he was staying. Over three separate periods large area of varying terrain was searched without finding the man

We were assisted by dogs and handlers from LDMRSD and a dedicated trailing dog from Lancashire

 

Update: 15.04.14. A body, identifies as Matthew Jordan was located in Rayrigg Wyke, Windermere today. 

 

Man Hours
17 team members for 7 hours, 9 team members for 3 hours, 7 team members for 3 hours, plus search dogs
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
SD408975

Incident Report #15 2014

A woman slipped on steep, wet ground and suffered an arm injury. She was treated by team members, and due to the pain she was in, evacuated by RAF helicopter. No air ambulance was available to fly because of poor weather

Man Hours
16 team members for 2 hours
Incident Type
Location
OS Grid Reference
NY393041

Incident Report #12 2014

A woman was reported as suffering a knee injury on the descent form Silver Howe... eventually located near Blindtarn Moss, she was checked over by our team doctor and assisted to her own transport. This incident perfectly highlighted the need to know where you are at any given time! Eventually located by a helpful local farmer who spotted their lights, while we were looking elsewhere!!
Man Hours
13 team members for 2.5 hours
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY320079

Incident Report #11 2014

A couple became benighted when they encountered a river they were unable to cross, and having gone back up hill trying to find a suitable alternative route, became cragfast. They were able able to give us a reasonably accurate grid reference, which we were able to confirm with the SARLOC system. We retrieved them, assisted them down hill and back to their accommodation. Their 'circular' walk was complete...
Man Hours
12 team members for 3 hours
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY272031

Incident Report #10 2014

A man slipped on wet ground and sustained a suspected fracture to his lower leg. He was treated by team members and we were in the process of evacuating him by stretcher when a Royal Navy helicopter flew past. We flagged it down and it helpfully agreed to fly the injured man down to Ambleside. We all walked back...

Man Hours
16 team members for 3.5 hours
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY30909216

Incident Report #9 2014

A woman sustained a nasty lower leg fracture when she slipped on a frozen ground. There was initial difficulty in working out where they were. Their starting point was initially reported inaccurately. We eventually worked out where they were and located them. Lack of suitable clothing for the wet, wintry conditions led both people to get very cold, and they should consider themselves lucky to have been located so quickly.
Man Hours
14 team members for 4 hours, plus Kendal MRT
Incident Type
Location
OS Grid Reference
NY355077

Incident Report #4 2014

A two vehicle RTC cause injuries to three people in the snow at Kirkstone Pass. We were called to assist. With an ambulance on scene, but itself also stuck, we assisted Paramedics. One person was evacuated with back injuries, using our stretcher and there were two walking wounded. Approximately 8 other people were evacuated from the road because it was blocked by the snow and crashed vehicles. It would be fair to say that the road was not in any condition to be used before the collision occurred. Patterdale MRT attended form their side of the pass as well.

Man Hours
17 team members for 3 hours
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY403087