A 60-year-old woman was reported as collapsed and unconscious near a remote farm. The team attended, along with Great North Air Ambulance, and she was airlifted to Furness General Hospital for treatment.
Two men became stuck on steep, frozen ground and were unable to up or down. They were following a route in a book, had no map, compass, torch, crampons or ice axe. There was inevitability about events. We were assisted by SARDA and Rossendale and Pendle MRT, who were in the area, and were co-opted from the pub.
Three men became stuck on steep, frozen ground and were unable to continue down. They were located by team members, roped together and escorted down via a series of steps cut by team members. Regrettably, the message that we have been trying to get out for several days seems to have fallen on deaf ears. They were not equipped for the conditions and seemed surprised by the fact that the snow had re-frozen once the sun was off it.
A man slipped and fell approximately 100 metres from the Climber Traverse on Bowfell. He sustained serious head injuries. His fall was witnessed by another man close by, who raised the alarm, and then went to assist. The team were mobilised to help, and a helicopter was requested to attend. Team members were airlifted in to the site and provided emergency care, along with the winchman. The man was then airlifted to West Cumberland Hospital. He received head, chest and hand injuries. He was well equipped.
A male walker was reported overdue by his wife. We were given a rough outline of his plan, and a search was organised. We were assisted at this stage by a helicopter from RAF Boulmer, and also SARDA and Kendal MRT. The search went on until 4am without success. We reconvened at 8am, this time with help from Keswick, Wasdale, Duddon and Furness, SARDA and Bowland Pennine MRT's and a helicopter from RAF Boulmer. Sadly, a man's body was located by helicopter in the late morning. He was recovered to West Cumberland Hospital, where he was confirmed as having died.
A number of people ended up together in a group after getting into difficulties in the frozen conditions. While trying to find a way off they got onto steep ground. At this point one of them slipped and fell several hundred metres, sustaining fatal injuries. He was evacuated from the fell by RAF helicopter. The rest of the group were evacuated over very difficult ground to safety.
A man slipped and fell approximately 100 metres from the Climber Traverse on Bowfell. He sustained serious multiple injuries. Two members of Keswick Mountain Rescue Team were fairly nearby, so were directed to the scene to assist while the team set off from the valley bottom. A helicopter was requested and arrived from RAF Boulmer. The man was stabilised and airlifted to West Cumberland Infirmary. His friend was assisted to the valley.
A man slipped, falling around 10 metres, and sustained a twisted knee and gashed hand. He struggled to get to a location where he could get a text message to his wife requesting help, and get some shelter from the weather. Initially he reported a suspected fracture, but he was able to make slow and painful progress down the hill. He was met by team members and assisted to the valley floor. We were assisted by Kendal MRT. Prolonged winter conditions experienced so far this year have been rare in recent years, however the message is the same as always. Be prepared.
A group of 4 became stuck in frozen conditions near the summit of Shelter Crags. One of them had slipped and was being prevented from falling further by a short length of rope. Her companions were unable to recover her. The group were located by search dog Beinn. She was recovered to safe ground, then escorted, along with the rest of the party, down The Band. Shortly after the start of this rescue, we were alerted to callout number 13 (see below). They were suffering fatigue, hypothermia and minor injuries.
A man slipped and sustained a suspected fractured ankle. We set off to rescue him, requesting helicopter assistance. This was provided by RAF Leconfield and the man was airlifted to Carlisle Royal Infirmary.
A woman slipped sustained a suspected fractured lower leg. She was treated by team members (not already committed to the previous rescue) and evacuated by stretcher, with assistance from Kendal MRT.
Two men took the decision to descend from Link Hause to escape the frozen conditions they had found on the ridge. Unfortunately, while still high on the headwall, one of them slipped, avoiding his friends attempt to stop him. He fell several hundred metres, coming to rest above a small crag. He sustained fractured ribs, suspected fractured arm, and multiple other injuries. He was treated and stabilised by team members, then airlifted to Lancaster Royal Infirmary by RAF Leconfield. His friend was also airlifted, having suffered hand and facial injuries in his attempt to stop his friend.
A man was reported overdue, having separated from his friend earlier, near Sprinkling Tarn. A search was organised and he was located in Mickleden, having been delayed by a minor ankle injury.
We were requested to assist in a search involving a number of mountain rescue teams for a group of 6 struggling in dark, snowy conditions. Information suggested that they were poorly equipped for the conditions. They turned up while initial planning was being undertaken.
In atrocious weather conditions, the team was called to assist a man who had become separated from his walking companion. Unfortunately he was discovered fatally injured at the bottom of the ghyll, seemingly having fallen some 70 metres from the path. We had requested the assistance of an RAF SAR helicopter, but they were unable to reach us in the prevailing weather conditions.
A man slipped on a frozen path and fractured his lower leg. He was treated by team members and stretchered to the valley floor.
A woman slipped on a very icy path and sustained a suspected lower leg fracture. She was treated by team members and then, with some difficulty due to the ice, was evacuated to our ambulance.
A couple were struggling to get down after the woman had slipped over and hit her head and fractured her wrist. They were located by team members and assisted down.
A woman slipped on an icy path and sustained a suspected fractured lower leg. She was evacuated by RAF helicopter that was in the area.
A 14-year old boy suffered a dislocated knee when he slipped on frozen ground. He was evacuated to Ambleside and transferred to hospital. We were assisted by two Bowland Pennine MRT members who were in the area.
A man sustained a nasty lower leg fracture when he slipped on an icy path. We set off, but found the man on the roadside being attended to by Paramedics, having been dragged there
A man slipped and fell approximately 5 metres down steep bank, sustaining a nasty head injury and suspected neck injury. He was treated by Paramedics and a doctor from the air ambulance, and then evacuated from the steep ground by the team.
An 11-year-old boy sustained a painful leg injury. He was treated by team members, diverted from the previous incident. The boy evacuated to hospital.
A woman slipped on a very icy path and sustained a suspected wrist fracture. She was treated by team members and then evacuated.
A woman slipped on a very icy path and sustained a suspected wrist fracture. She was given pain relief and evacuated to Ambleside for onward transport to hospital.
