Fairfield

Incident Report #25 1978

A search was started when a 43 year old man from Sheffield was reported missing by his friend, who had left him at the summit of Hart Crag at 4.00 p.m. Four more teams and S.A.R.D.A. were called in at first light to continue the search. The search was called off when the man was found on Windermere railway station at 10.30 a.m. Footnote: This man had spent all night in a Guest House in Grasmere and was returning home by train. There seems to have been some disagreement between these so-called friends.
Incident Type

Incident Report #13 1978

A search was started when fellwalkers raised the alarm in Patterdale that a group of 8 A.T.C. and 2 adults were suffering from exposure between Hart Crag and Fairfield. Patterdale and Penrith M.R.T. assisted and searched all known escape routes. Search called off at 8.15 p.m. when the A.T.C. Group walked off the fells, unaided, in Grasmere. Footnote: Why this inexperienced group had set out on a high level walk Nobody seems to know. The weather had been bad all day in addition to deep snow and ice at high levels. This group had no crampons or ice axes.
Incident Type
Location

Incident Report #8 2001

While we were on scene at the previous incident, we were made aware of another incident on Fairfield summit. A man had slipped on ice and fractured his femur. His crampons were attached to the top of his rucsac. His rucsac was uninjured. The helicopter flew a couple of team members over to Fairfield and dropped them off with the winchman to attend to him. Because of the seriousness of his injury, the deteriorating weather, and the apparent stability of the previous casualty, who was still on board, it was decided to wait while he was treated.

Incident Type
Location

Incident Report #58 2002

A man walking his dogs became lost. His wife reported him overdue and Patterdale MRT mounted a search. We were requested to assist. He was located on Hart Crag at 2am and escorted down to Ambleside. He had no torch and only barely adequate clothing. With weather conditions being bad and a very poor forecast the following day, the possibility of him not surviving was very real. Fortunately his whistles were heard over the wind and he was found. He was escorted down to safety by members from both teams.
 

Incident Type
Location

Incident Report #35 2008

A couple phoned for help after becoming lost on Fairfield. Attempts to talk them down appeared to have failed, but we were fairly certain they were heading down to Patterdale. Patterdale MRT were requested to assist, as were SARDA. They were located just above Hartsop above How. They had a torch and compass, but were struggling to navigate with any certainty.

Man Hours
65, plus Patterdale and SARDA
Incident Type
Location
OS Grid Reference
NY286080