Pavey Ark

Incident Report #81 1995

A 35 year old man had started up Jack's Rake, alone, after his friends had, wisely, declined his invitation to go with him. After a short distance he tried to climb down again, but was unable to, because of the ice. He continued up, and slipped, dislocating his kneecap, and injuring his back. Mobile phone calls from the area gave us the impression that he was only just able to hang on. Members of RAF Leeming MRT were in the area and they were able to get to him before us, and stabilise him. He was then airlifted to hospital by RAF Boulmer.
Incident Type

Incident Report #47 1999

A 30-year-old woman was abseiling from a rock climb when her belays failed. She fell 60ft before coming rest on a ledge in a gully. The team worked for several hours to get her out, and then she was airlifted to hospital in Carlisle with multiple injuries. Two climbers in the vicinity went to her aid soon after her fall, and stayed with her the whole time. Their actions are worthy of praise; having suffered cold and rock falls to assist.
Incident Type

Incident Report #70 2000

A family of three with 7-year-old boy phoned for help after the boy refused to descend Bright Beck. Since this was the quickest way down, and darkness was encroaching, this presented them with a problem. They weren't confident with navigating the various options we suggested to them, so three team members went up to meet them and led them down!

Incident Type

Incident Report #20 2000

A 57-year-old man became frozen by cramp in his thighs at the exit from Jacks Rake. His friends tried to help him, but to no avail. We arrived, pulled a few rabbits out of hats and walked him down. There's no point in using our stretcher if it can be avoided. Beers were supplied all round by the victim and his friends in the spirit of mountain rescue that we are keen to foster. (No pun intended, Scottish and Newcastle), cheques payable to LAMRT please).

Incident Type

Incident Report #24 1986

Whilst preparing to start a route a 26 year old female from Liverpool was hit and pinned to the ground when a large rockfall occured. She sustained fractures to her skull, collar-bone, arm. leg and other serious m|unes. As a "Joint Exercise" on Oakhowe Crags was taking place, the team and Bowland-Pennine M.R.T. responded to the alert. She was lowered 40' to a flat area and a helicopter from R.A.F. Boulmer winched up and flew the casualty to Whitehaven Hospital.

Incident Type

Incident Report #38 1983

During the evacuation on rescue 37, climbers on the crag alerted the teams that a 27 year old man from London had been hit on the head by rocks dislodged from above. The Team assisted by RAF St. Athan M.R.T., evacuated the critically injured man to Stickle Tarn. A helicopter from RAF Boulmer airlifted both casualties to Whitehaven Hospital.

Incident Type

Incident Report #6 1983

Many people reported the sighting of a red flare. The Team, having just completed rescue no. 5 turned out again. As most of the high crags were still under winter conditions all essential rescue gear was deployed. The Team reached Stickle Tarn and found a 'bored' couple setting off flares, not knowing the consequences. Escorted off the fell and dealt with by the local police officers.

Incident Report #19 1978

The Team and S.A.R.D.A. searched the above areas when it was reported that two male student climbers from Durham University were overdue when it was time for the coach to leave Langdale at 8.30 p.m. The search was called off at 1.00 a.m. the next morning when they turned up at Durham. Footnote: If climbers and walkers gave a little more thought to their actions, it would save Rescue Teams a considerable amount of expense and time. These two climbers had HITCH HIKED home without telling anybody.
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Incident Report #28 1976

A 20 year old man from Glossop fell 70 ft. whilst leading a pitch on Pavey Ark, Langdale. He fell into Easy Gulley sustaining head and spinal injuries.The team lowered him down on a stretcher then carried to Stickle Tarn where RAF Boulmer flew him to Whitehaven Hospital.

Footnote: A hand hold gave way and there were no runners on, he also elected not to wear a helmet. From report and his friends he was a competent climber.

Incident Type

Incident Report #26 1976

A 45 year old man from Hastings slipped and fell 20 ft. down Easy Gulley, Pavey Ark, Langdale. He sustained a fractured neck of femur. Team carried him out of gulley after lowering the stretcher by ropes for 400 ft. and then down the fellside to an ambulance and then to hospital in Kendal.
Footnote: Easy gulley is anything but, these days. There are many large rocks awaiting to roll down the gulley on some unsuspecting climber or walker.

Incident Type

Incident Report #21 1976

A 14 year old schoolboy from Haywards Heath sustained serious head, face and internal injuries when under climbing instruction. It appeared a large rock hit the boy on the head. The team sent every piece of medical equipment up to the accident. The boy was carried by stretcher to Tarn Crag where RAF Boulmer picked the boy and team doctor up. Flown to Carlisle Hospital.
Footnote: This is where the teams medical equipment proved its worth. The resucitation equipment proved to be a sound investment.

Incident Type

Incident Report #16 1976

'A 27 year old man from Preston left the Jack's Rake path on Pavey Ark, Langdale by mistake and found himself going up a loose stone gulley, he pulled a large stone on himself and fractured his right leg/ankle. The team roped the stretcher and it was taken to the top of Pavey Ark. He was carried down the fell and then to hospital by ambulance to Kendal.
Footnote: Jack's Rake is becoming more loose very year, and at the time of this rescue it was in a dangerous condition.

Incident Type