Incidents

A 48-year-old man slipped and sustained an ankle injury. The Great North Air Ambulance was in Ambleside, on a familiarisation visit to our base, so they were able to fly a couple of team members to the site and quickly evacuate the casualty. All was sorted in an hour.
 

A person was reported as shouting and waving for help high on the side of Lingmoor, overlooking the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. The team investigated, and despite another report of a group of three struggling, we found nobody in need of help. The search was called off, and we returned home.

The previous search merged into a second one when we were made aware of two men missing on Sergeant Man. They were also located and returned to civilisation.

A couple phoned the Police when they became lost in mist on Crinkle Crags. They were located and escorted down.

A man collapsed, unconscious on the path up to Stickle Tarn. We were called and by the time we arrived he was conscious again. He was monitored by team members, stretchered to the valley bottom and transferred to an ambulance.

A 22-year-old man from Leeds dislocated his knee while climbing Route 2. His companion lowered him to a large ledge, but couldn't get him any further because of the pain. The knee was immobilised, and he was lowered to the bottom of the crag, from where he was stretchered to the valley floor for onward transport to hospital.

A woman sustained an ankle injury while walking on Silver How. Her leg was splinted and she was stretchered to the valley floor.

Three people were reported overdue from a walk to Scafell. A search was organised, but they turned up in the valley, just as we were deploying.

We were called to help a couple lost on Wansfell. They were located and assisted down.

The team assisted Keswick MRT with a search for a man overdue from a walk. He had been reported missing by his wife. We failed to find him, and he made his own way down, having spent the night out.

We were contacted regarding a woman who had sustained facial injuries in a fall and was suffering a severe nosebleed. She was eventually located being assisted down by other walkers having recovered sufficiently to continue.

We were asked to assist the ambulance service who were treating a man who had collapsed. We helped with the evacuation.

A man fell while on Jack’s Rake, suffering a suspected dislocated shoulder. He was treated and evacuated by the team.

A man collapsed while walking. He was recovered quickly by the team.

A woman collapsed while descending Nab Scar. She was treated and evacuated.

A young boy sustained an injury to his ankle on the hillside above the Hall. He was treated by ambulance personnel and stretchered to an ambulance by team members.

A man collapsed while under instruction on Harrison Stickle. Despite attempts to revive him, he died. His body was airlifted from the hill by the RAF.

A man collapsed, feeling faint and unwell. He was treated by the team, and evacuated to an ambulance for onward transport to hospital.

We were asked to assist the Ambulance Service with the evacuation of a man who had collapsed.

While returning from the previous incident we were requested to assist Kendal MRT with the third of the three simultaneous rescues the were involved in. A woman had fallen in to a river and sustained arm and back injuries

We were called to assist Kendal MRT with one of the three simultaneous rescues they were involved in.

A woman collapsed due possibly due to a previous condition and hot weather. Assisted by SAR helicopter and Kendal MRT.

Two people collapsed due to heat exhaustion. They were carrying heavy bags and had probably not had enough to drink. Assisted by Kendal MRT and SAR helicopter.

A woman slipped and sustained a suspected ankle fracture. She was treated by team members and evacuated by air ambulance to hospital.

A man slipped and tumbled about 25 feet, sustaining an ankle fracture and suspected lower spinal injuries. He was splinted and evacuated from the fell by team members, with assistance from Kendal MRT.

A 60-year-old American man suffered a suspected heart attack while on a walking holiday. He was treated by team members and then airlifted to West Cumberland Hospital by Royal Navy helicopter.

A climber hit the ground from about fifteen metres after he fell and his runners failed. He sustained multiple injuries, including to his spine, chest and ankle. He was treated and evacuated to an ambulance for onward transport to hospital.

A climber fell while abseiling and sustained an open fracture to his leg. The team was mobilised along with a helicopter from RAF Valley. He was treated by team members and then airlifted to Furness General Hospital.

A 38-year-old woman was reported as suffering from chest pains on Lord Crag. The team was mobilised along with an air ambulance. It just beat us to her, and airlifted her to Furness General Hospital. We escorted her partner back to the valley.

We were asked to assist Kendal MRT with the rescue of a woman who had sustained a leg injury after slipping on wet rock.

Two competitors were assisted during the Grasmere Gallop.

A 75-year-old man suffered a head injury after a fall while descending Wansfell Pike. He was treated by team members and evacuated to hospital by air ambulance.

A man suffered a leg injury at Slaters Bridge.

We were called to assist a 14-year-old girl who was reported as having collapsed on the descent of Side Pike towards the campsite.  As we arrived at the campsite it was discovered that she had recovered sufficiently to make her way down, assisted by her friends. Although we enjoy what we do, to be honest, not having to up trekking uphill in the pouring rain is no bad thing! We all returned to whatever it is we were doing.

Five team members went to assist Kendal MRT with the rescue of a woman with a suspected fractured ankle at Nan Bield Pass.

A 65-year-old woman slipped and sustained a suspected fracture of her wrist. Attempts to move her caused her to feel faint. She was treated by team members, pain relief was administered and she was evacuated to the valley floor and back to Ambleside.

The team has been rescuing people for over 30 years, so we don't do many things for the first time anymore. Today was different. We were contacted by the Police and asked to assist a woman whose electric buggy was stuck on Loughrigg Terrace. It was a nice, sunny day and as you can see from the picture, the team members who attended enjoyed their day out, change of scenery, and the chance to become part of team folklore. The buggy was pushed (uphill) and its owner assisted to our ambulance and all were transported back to Grasmere.

A 57-year-old volunteer conservationist had set out on the previous day to perform some maintenance work, supposedly on the Rossett Ghyll path. He failed to return. The team was alerted and a search was organised. We were joined by SARDA and Kendal were alerted to assist. He turned up at 11.40 having possibly spent the night in Langstrath.

A 32-year-old woman walking with her partner sustained a knee injury and was unable to walk. They gave their position as just below the summit of Crinkle Crags. We set off to sort her out, but it soon became obvious that they weren't in the same place as we were, and didn't actually know where they were. A grid reference that they gave us put them outside the Lake District! Kendal MRT were called to assist and a 3-hour search located them about 1 km from their estimated position. Once it became obvious that we faced a lengthy evacuation, Wasdale MRT also came to help. We eventually reached the road at about 12.30. We were also assisted by three SARDA dogs. It transpired that this woman was a cox, so being spirited along by eight wet men was not a new experience for her!

A guest staying at the Kirkstone Inn reported her husband overdue from what should have been a two-hour walk. He had set off at about 3pm and had not returned. He had left no specific route but had set off on foot from the Inn. He was reported as lightly equipped and without a map or torch. During the search we were assisted by Kendal and Patterdale MRTs and nine search dogs. Hills on both sides of the road were searched. He was located below Raven Crag near Red Screes just before midnight by search dog Yana. Unfortunately he had died, possibly as a result of a serious head injury.

We were called to assist a woman who had slipped and sustained an ankle injury. She was treated and stretchered down the fell.

A woman was reported missing by her husband after they became separated while walking in the vicinity of Harrison Stickle. A search was organised. We were assisted by Kendal and Keswick MRTs and SARDA (Lakes). As daylight approached we were then joined by Duddon & Furness and Coniston MRTs, a helicopter from RAF Boulmer and 4 dogs from SARDA(England). The missing woman was located, by the helicopter, on craggy ground below the summit. Unfortunately she had died, possibly as a result of a fall. Her body was recovered to Ambleside.

A woman sustained a nasty head injury when she slipped and fell on rocks. She was treated and transferred to an ambulance.

A young man was reported overdue at his campsite, where he was due to meet his friends. He was described as not very experienced, and with poor weather forecast it was decided to organise a search for him. His friends were interviewed, other teams organised, and just as we about to deploy, he turned up. He had been disorientated in the Great End area, been put straight when two men guided him to Esk Hause, and then been delayed when he met up with a group of 4 who were struggling themselves.

We were called to assist two women, one with a minor head injury, who were struggling to locate a route off the hill by the light of a mobile phone. The trouble was that they didn't know which hill they had gone up, and consequently which one they were trying to come down! An extensive search of a variety of places located them on the fellside above Green How Caravan Park, cragfast on top of a small rock outcrop. They were escorted down, and the head injury was checked. They were taken back to their hotel.

We were asked by Patterdale MRT to assist with the search for a family with young children, who had set off on an ambitious walk and failed to return. The team was just departing when they turned up.

The subject of our previous three days of searching was located. We assisted the ambulance service with evacuating him for hospitalisation. Earlier in the day Police underwater teams had searched a number of areas.

Team members assisted Police divers as they searched several tarns in connection with the previous days search.

A woman slipped and sustained a suspected ankle fracture on steep wet ground. Team members not involved with the ongoing search treated her and she was stretchered to the valley and onward transport to hospital was organised.

The search resumed, with more widespread areas searched. This time we were assisted by SARDA, RAF Valley MRT, Duddon & Furness, Kendal, Bowland Pennine and Coniston MRTs and COMRU (Mines Rescue Unit).

The search was resumed with areas originally searched at night rechecked in daylight and new areas covered still without success. We were assisted by SARDA, RAF Boulmer, and Kendal and Duddon & Furness MRTs.

We were requested to search the Langdale area for a man reported missing from home. There was concern for his safety. The search continued until daybreak without success. We were assisted by SARDA.

We were asked to assist the ambulance service with the evacuation of a 49-year-old with an ankle injury and a badly twisted wellington boot.

An 80-year-old woman slipped and sustained an ankle injury on a very wet path. She was treated and evacuated to the road for onward transport to hospital.

A man collapsed with a suspected heart attack near Gibson Knott. Passers-by administered CPR, and the team and a helicopter (in the area) were called. The helicopter lifted our doctor up and sadly certified the man dead, and the casualty was airlifted to Whitehaven.

We were requested to assist the Police with the recovery of a man’s body from woodland near Ambleside.

We were then requested to recover two climbers who had become cragfast on White Ghyll slabs. They had started climbing in daylight and had taken shelter while half way up, when it started to snow. Unfortunately the snow continued and they were unable to make any further progress. They became very cold. They were hauled to the top and airlifted to the valley floor. Kendal MRT came to assist us with this one!

A 57-year-old woman slipped on snow and ice and sustained a suspected ankle fracture. Due to weather conditions it took about 3 hours to locate her. A helicopter was called to assist, but was of limited use due to strong winds, poor visibility and all of its outside lights failing. It did manage to lift some kit higher up the hill to the limit of its visibility, but the remainder was done on foot. It was a lengthy operation, and we were assisted on the carry-off by Patterdale MRT, who had come up their side to help. She was evacuated down the Patterdale side of the hill. In keeping with the usual random nature of our work, while all this was going on…

A 19-year-old man became stuck on his abseil rope when he got stuck on a knot. He was talked down by one group of team members, while another group set up another rope system, just in case. He was uninjured.

A woman slipped from a stile and fell, aggravating an old back injury. She was treated by team members and evacuated to a waiting ambulance.

A woman tripped and fell forward. She injured her shoulders and was in great pain. She was treated and evacuated to our ambulance, and then transported onward to hospital by ambulance. It transpired that she had broken both her upper arms, one seriously.

Lights were reported on Raven Crag. An investigation revealed nothing, so the team stood down.

A couple walking the Coast to Coast became lost. Keswick MRT were initially alerted, then we were called to assist. They were located by LAMRT near High Raise after we heard their whistles. They were escorted down Wythburn and returned to their B&B in Keswick by members of Keswick MRT.

A man was reported with a head injury in the Blea Rigg area. A search was organised, but we were unable to find him. Attempts to re-contact the party via their mobile phone were unsuccessful, and he was eventually located in the Red Lion Hotel in Grasmere. By this time Kendal MRT and one SARDA dog had been called to assist.

A 32-year-old man collapsed, and was unconscious for a short time, possibly as a result of a pre-existing heart condition. He was given oxygen and monitored by team members, and then evacuated to Furness General Hospital by the North West Air Ambulance.

A family group of seven became lost, having overshot Stake Pass and found themselves descending into Langstrath. They became concerned when the weather deteriorated, and phoned for help. We found them on Stake Pass and assisted them down.

A man slipped and snapped his patella tendon (that's what he told us, him being a doctor and all). He was stretchered down to an ambulance for onward transport to hospital.
 

The occupants of a car phoned the Police when they became stuck on an ice-covered Wrynose Pass. They were concerned that they couldn't get down. A vehicle was dispatched to assist them, but we couldn't find them. It transpired that they had got down the pass by themselves and were making their way to Lancaster. We returned home.
 

A woman sustained an ankle injury when she slipped on the path descending Loughrigg. She was treated by team members and evacuated by stretcher.
 

While on the previous rescue, we came across a man who had injured muscles in his back and was unable to walk. He was assisted down as well.
 

We were called to attend a woman with an ankle injury. She was walking with her husband. They had passed a grid reference to the Police which put them on Nanny Lane, Troutbeck. The team was dispatched to sort her out. Our first response group couldn't find them. We spoke them again and they admitted that they might not have been quite were they had initially told us. Further questioning located them on the Ambleside side of Wansfell. A second team was dispatched, they were located, and the woman's injury was treated. Grid references and numbers are such a tricky business. Sometimes one number out puts you one metre away, and sometimes it puts you one kilometre away. We'd prefer the one metre!
 

The Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue taxi service was called out to retrieve a group of eleven people who had accidentally walked off the back of Crinkle Crags and had realised that when they arrived at the bottom of Moasdale they would be inconvenienced by a lack of transport. They were located by a group of team members and escorted down.
 

A woman fell five metres after slipping on rocky ground near the summit of the hill. She sustained a head injury as a result. The initial location that we were given by someone at the scene of the incident was approximately 1km out, but we worked it out and she was treated by team members and then airlifted to Carlisle hospital by the RAF.
 

Two 38-year-old women got stuck in mist on Pavey Ark. A search was organised and they were located by 'Tracker Cooper' who has developed a bit of a knack on recent incidents for outstripping the dogs when it comes to finding the lost. They were escorted down.
 

A local woman slipped and sustained an ankle injury on a wet, loose path. Her ankle was splinted and she was carried down on a stretcher. It transpired that she had sustained a fractured fibula. We were alerted to this job by a member of Kendal MRT.

A 57-year-old man was reported missing by his friend after they got separated at Angle Tarn. His friend made his way down, but when the man didn't show up we were called. A search was organised and he was quickly located, having been delayed by helping other people down.

A man was reported missing in the Blea Tarn area. A search was organised with assistance from seven SARDA dogs. He was located, unharmed just after midnight.

A 15-year-old boy was reported as suffering from hypothermia in the Langdale Combe/Stake Pass area. The people who reported him at the valley head had taken over two hours to walk down, and the young man had got fed up of waiting, warmed up and had been helped down to the valley by companions. We met him in Mickeleden.

A man in his 40s sustained a dislocated shoulder when he slipped on frozen ground. We were en-route up the Band when we made aware that a helicopter that had been assisting Keswick MRT in Allen Crag Ghyll had reached the casualty and uplifted him. He was taken to Furness General Hospital.

A man slipped and sustained a knee injury. We were able to drive to Rydal Cave, and barely had to walk any distance at all. He was evacuated back to Ambleside and transferred to an ambulance.

A 58-year-old woman slipped and sustained an injury to her ankle. She was treated by team members and carried down. If you've got to loiter waiting to be rescued, you might as well do it on a beautiful winter’s day, with a view of the lake and surrounded by the first snowfall of the season.

A flare was sighted by a passer-by, who was familiar with flares, in the vicinity of Loughrigg. A small search was organised, but nothing was found. It was probably the sun reflecting of a high flying jet.

We were called out to look for a man who was lost on Fairfield. He had phoned for help with his mobile phone. A search was organised in conjunction with SARDA and Patterdale and Kendal MRTs. He was located at Hartsop above How after a couple of hours’ searching. He was escorted off by members of Patterdale MRT.

A rare rescue on two counts. Firstly it was before lunch; secondly it was a mountain biker. A young local man fell from his bike when his seat snapped off. He sustained injuries to his shoulder, lower back, pelvic area, knee, and hand. He was treated at the scene by team members and evacuated to hospital by the Great North Air Ambulance.

We were asked to assist the ambulance service with the evacuation of a 58-year-old woman with an ankle injury from a steep, slippery path. They had attended, provided first aid, and we carried her down

A 54-year-old woman sustained an ankle fracture and suffered the effects of the cold weather between Mart Crag Moor and Pike O'Stickle. The team attended, and with help from a helicopter from RAF Boulmer she was rescued and airlifted to Carlisle hospital.

A large-scale search was organised when a man was reported missing overnight in the Langdale area. He had phoned home late the previous evening saying he was benighted, but was OK and would make his way down next day. When he didn't appear a search was organised. We were assisted by seven SARDA dogs. He was located at 13.30, unharmed.

We were requested to assist the Police with a search of fields and footpaths for an 80-year-old woman who had set off to walk a short distance and not arrived at her destination. She was located quickly and returned home. Coniston MRT and SARDA were also involved.

A couple of 19-year-old climbers from Ambleside became stuck when they got to the top of Middlefell Buttress without torches after 4pm. They were unable to locate the way down. Their shouts for help were heard in the valley bottom. They were assisted by a number of other people in the area, who supplied them with torches, and we escorted them down.

A 58-year-old female from Scotland slipped and sustained an ankle fracture. She was treated by team members, stretchered from the fell and transferred to an ambulance for onward transport to hospital.

A group of three became lost on Crinkle Crags. They were unable to find their way off, and weren't exactly certain were they where, so phoned for help. A group of team members located them by homing in on their whistles and torch flashing, and they were escorted down.

A 21-year-old man from the West Midlands phoned his parents to say that he was benighted at Angle Tarn. His parents phoned for help. We instigated a search and he was eventually located near the summit of Bowfell. We were assisted by Keswick MRT. Santa, if you're checking Christmas lists this early, can he have a torch for Christmas please?

A 33-year-old man slipped on an icy path and sustained a lower leg injury. He was treated by the team and evacuated to an ambulance.

We received a call to man who had camped out overnight below Cambridge Crag on Bowfell. He had called for help and an air ambulance was sent. He had become very cold and wet overnight and couldn't move. They couldn't find him, so we were called. We located him, gave him food and drink to warm him up, and then assisted him to walk down.

While we were finishing off from the previous rescue we were made aware of a family who were lost in the vicinity of Stickle Tarn. They were cold and unable to find a way down in the mist. They were located just below Stickle Tarn, and escorted to the valley floor.

A woman slipped and sustained a suspected ankle fracture on very wet ground. She was treated and evacuated.

We were requested to assist Patterdale MRT with the evacuation of a man who had fallen and suffered a suspected depressed skull fracture. We were en-route when we were recalled because the casualty had been successfully evacuated by RAF helicopter.

In a repeat of the previous incident we were requested to assist the ambulance service with the recovery of a woman who had sustained an ankle fracture when she slipped on steep ground.

We were requested to assist the ambulance service with the recovery of a woman who had sustained an ankle fracture when she slipped on a wet rock slab on the path.

Two 20-year-old men from Manchester became cragfast when they got on to steep ground, without torches, above Bright Beck. They were located by team members, escorted back to the valley floor and transported to their accommodation.

A second male competitor, this time 34 years old, fell off his bike. He sustained a suspected serious arterial bleed to his leg. An ambulance was called, but an RAF helicopter came into the area on a routine training exercise and flew the casualty to hospital.
 

We had just finished clearing up and repacking from the previous incident when we were called to attend another. A woman had sustained a suspected ankle fracture after a slip descending Stickle Ghyll. She was treated by team members and evacuated to the valley floor by the helicopter that was still in the area.

A 47-year-old male Polaris Mountain Bike Challenge competitor fell while trying to get off his bike. He sustained a suspected fractured ankle. An ambulance was called, and then we were called to assist.

A 26-year-old woman slipped and sustained an ankle fracture. She was treated, given pain relief and evacuated.

A 66-year-old woman slipped on a very wet path and sustained an ankle fracture. We plodged through big puddles to rescue her. A fun time was had by all.

An 81-year-old man sustained a shoulder injury when he slipped and fell over. He was treated and evacuated with help from Kendal MRT.

A man walking with his friend suffered head and chest injuries when he fell near the top end of  Rest Ghyll on the back of Crinkle Crags. He was unconscious for a short time. His friend descended to get help and Wasdale MRT were alerted. Because the informant didn't appear absolutely certain were he had left his friend we were also called. He was located by Wasdale MRT members and treatment was given. With our help he was evacuated from the ghyll and the long carry out down Mosedale began. Other personnel came up Mosedale to assist, including members of Kendal MRT. The whole operation took about 8 hours. One team member, who shall remain anonymous (I'll not even identify which team he was with) was making his way up when both torches he was carrying failed. He decided to wait until somebody caught him up, and walk with them, but fell asleep while he was waiting. And there he was found, sleeping peacefully on the side of the path.

A Maltese man slipped and sustained a lower leg injury. We don't normally go up hill, but in this case we took the slightly scenic route because the smooth, grassy descent around the back of Tarn Crag is much better than the rocky descent of Stickle Ghyll. After seeing the man safely in to an ambulance we retired to the pub to refresh ourselves. A couple of men at the bar who had seen us go up, and who had read about the team offered to stand us a round. A much appreciated gesture! Thanks.

A 9-year-old girl slipped and sustained a suspected arm fracture. We eventually located them, because they weren't certain were they where. They girl was treated and given pain relief and carried to a waiting ambulance.

A man slipped and sustained a lower leg injury. The team treated his injuries, and onward transport to hospital was arranged.

A man slipped and sustained a lower leg injury. In a joint operation with Patterdale MRT, he was treated and carried to Scandale and transferred to a waiting vehicle. It was dark, windy and wet. We got home about 5.30am.

A 70-year-old man collapsed. The air ambulance was mobilised and we were called to help. Sadly the man died at the scene. His body was recovered to the valley floor along with a family member.

A 68-year-old man tripped and fell, sustaining a suspected fracture/dislocation to his shoulder and a graze to his knee. He was treated at he scene and evacuated in our ambulance, which we had been able to drive close to his location.

A woman used her mobile to report herself lost. We located her and returned her to her accommodation.

A man sustained a knee injury in Far Easedale. We were given a location by a passer-by. A second informant gave us another location, which he was adamant was correct. He was completely wrong (and is probably still up there, if his map reading skills are anything to go by!). The casualty was treated by team members and carried down with assistance from Kendal MRT. More substantial footwear may have given him more support and prevented the damage.

A group of five got into difficulty on Bracken Hause, Helm Crag, when they missed the path and became cragfast. A small group of team members went to their assistance and escorted them down. Nobody was injured.

 A 12-year-old boy slipped and sustained a nasty gash to his leg in the Junior Guides race at Grasmere Sports. He was treated by team members and evacuated to a county ambulance. We were assisted by St John Ambulance, who were also attending the show.

A man sustained an ankle injury on Scafell. He struggled as far as Rossett Ghyll before he could go no further. This level of self-reliance has to be applauded. The man was embarrassed and apologetic for calling us out, but realistically he could not have been expected to get much further. He was treated by team members and evacuated by stretcher.

We were asked to assist Wasdale MRT in a search for a couple trying to find their way down from Scafell. They were reported as having no waterproofs, little food, and the homing facility on their umbrella had failed. They were located in Little Narrow Cove.

A dog was reported as running around Easedale Tarn area, barking and sounding distressed. The caller assumed that its owner was in need of help. A small search was organised before we concluded it was a trial hound running a little late.

A woman slipped and sustained an ankle injury. She was treated and carried down.

A 65-year-old woman slipped and sustained an ankle injury on the descent to Rydal Water from Loughrigg. The team attended and sorted her out.

A woman in her 20s was seconding a climb when she fell off. She fell approximately 15 metres, penduluming into the crag. She sustained a serious head injury, despite her helmet, and injuries to her lower back and ankle. She was treated at the scene and airlifted to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle by RAF helicopter. Again we were assisted by Kendal MRT.

A 57-year-old male slipped and sustained a dislocated ankle. The team responded and were en route when we were made aware of a second incident in Langdale. The first incident was dealt with by giving first aid to the man and he was carried off and taken to Kendal Hospital by Kendal MRT, who had come to help.

A 74-year-old male, walking with a family group, collapsed and was unable to move, probably due to fatigue. His son set off to get help, borrowed a mobile phone from a passer-by and contacted us. He then continued to descend with his young children, as a result of which we had no further contact with the casualty. We climbed on to the ridge but were unable to locate the man. He was eventually located by Kendal MRT descending in to Easedale under his own steam, having recovered sufficiently. He was given the once-over by Kendal MRT's doctor and allowed to go home. This incident proves how important two way communication with the casualty site can be, particularly if the casualty becomes a moving target!

A 58-year-old male collapsed at High Sweden Bridge. The team attended, but he was certified dead by the team doctor. His body was conveyed to Ambleside.

Three men became lost on Bowfell. They were inadequately equipped for the conditions which were cold, wet and windy. They happened upon a group of Duke of Edinburgh Award candidates who, although slightly off route, were equipped for, and coping with, the conditions. The young people from the D of E expedition realised that the men were in trouble, and put tents up for them, and prepared to spend the night. They contacted their assessor to let them know that they weren't going to make it to their planned campsite, and that they would continue in the morning. The three men were not happy to spend the night out and used the young people's mobile to contact the Police. The Police called us out to rescue the three men, and in consultation with the group of young people, and their assessor, it was decided to escort them off the hill as well. LAMRT has been critical of D of E expeditions before, but in this case the young people acted admirably, and their actions meant that the three men didn't have to spend a very cold and uncomfortable night on the hill. We can only guess at the outcome of this happening. The young people deserve praise for putting the safety of the three men before their expedition, which they would likely fail to complete.

A elderly man tripped and fell over, sustaining facial injuries and nasty injuries to his hands. The team treated him and evacuated him to Ambleside for onward transport to hospital.
 

A 77-year-old woman felt faint and fell over, sustaining a head injury in the process. The team were able to drive to her, and evacuate her to a waiting ambulance.

A 38-year-old German woman sustained a suspected ankle fracture. This resulted in her spending the night out in a tent. Her friend was able raise the alarm first thing, next day. The team treated her injury and the she was evacuated to Furness General Hospital by air ambulance. Kendal MRT also assisted.

A 68-year-old climber set off ahead of his friends on the descent from Bowfell Buttress, supposedly via Three Tarns and the Band. He never arrived back at their campsite in Langdale. He was reported as very experienced, but didn't appear to be very well equipped. As a search was organised, he turned up at Wha House Farm in Eskdale. He seemed to have made an interesting navigational error, having probably turned right at Three Tarns instead of left.

A young woman sustained an ankle injury after she slipped. She was located and treated by team members and evacuated with help from Kendal MRT.

While we were dealing with previous two incidents it suddenly became a very busy day! A woman slipped on Heron Pike and dislocated her shoulder. A few remaining team members surplus from the previous two rescues were dispatched along with members of Kendal MRT to deal with this. They administered first aid and pain relief and she was evacuated by the air ambulance which had returned to assist, having dropped off the first casualty. Our drying room was very full for the next 24 hours!

While the previous incident was under way we were alerted to another incident below us on the same path. A woman had slipped and sustained a suspected ankle fracture. Having left the previous casualty with paramedics at a point where the helicopter could pick them up, we descended, met other team members and dealt with the second casualty. She was stretchered to the valley floor and sent to hospital. She was wearing inappropriate footwear.

A 45-year-old man slipped while descending, fracturing his ankle in the process. An air ambulance was called and we were asked to assist because of the difficult location. A number of team members were airlifted to the dam and made their way down to the cas site. The man was evacuated uphill to the dam and airlifted to hospital. Let me just say that uphill is bad. Very bad. It hurts.
 

A group of five young people were reported overdue at their campsite on their Duke of Edinburgh expedition. They were last seen at Easedale Tarn at around 1pm. They failed to arrive at their planned campsite at Stickle Tarn.  A search was organised and they were located at Easedale Tarn. They believed that they were at Stickle Tarn. They were escorted down and reunited with their supervisors.
 

We were asked by Keswick MRT to assist with a search after a suicide note was found on a car in Wythburn. The person was located on the summit of Hellvellyn.

We were asked to assist with a search for any other victims after a car was found crashed off the road on Kirkstone Pass.

A 44-year-old woman was knocked over by her dog while walking it in fields near Kirkstone. She sustained a wrist and knee injuries. She was treated by paramedics and again, our help was required to get her to the roadside.

A 17-year-old girl from Gargrave, Skipton suffered an asthma attack while on a mountain bike trip. An ambulance was called, but our help was required to get her to the road.

A 71-year-old man from a large walking group sustained a knee injury after a slip. His friends tried to help him down, but could only manage a short distance. We were called to assist, and splinted his leg, then arranged for his evacuation by air ambulance.

A 54-year-old woman slipped and sustained a suspected ankle fracture. She was treated and taken to Kendal Hospital.

A 13-year-old girl slipped and sustained an ankle injury. She was airlifted to hospital by an RAF helicopter.

An RAF mountain rescue team member was assisting with the clean-up of debris from the crash site from the previous day’s incident when he fell approximately 100 feet, and sustained serious multiple injuries. He was treated at the scene by some of his colleagues and flown to hospital.

A second operation was then organised to rescue the Kendal team member who was injured. He was stabilised by people on the crag and eventually airlifted to Carlisle by the RAF. The initial casualty was then recovered and also flown to hospital. Coniston MRT also came to assist at this point.

A man in his 20s blacked out and fell a short distance, breaking his arm badly in the process. Because of the inaccessible position and the black-out, a helicopter and Kendal MRT were called to assist. Langdale team members were making their way to the site on foot when the helicopter arrived. It picked up some Kendal team members from the valley and flew them up. A couple had been winched out when the helicopter rotor clipped the crag, causing serious damage, and causing the helicopter to pull away and land very heavily in Mickleden. Unfortunately the Kendal team member was dragged off the crag and fell, suffering serious spinal injuries and a fractured arm. The helicopter crew and one Kendal team member remaining in the helicopter were shaken but unhurt.

A 37-year-old man collapsed while descending to the finish of the Fairfield Horseshoe fell race. He was treated at the scene, and evacuated to our Lowfold base for further treatment by the team doctor.
 

With darkness approaching, we were notified of a woman who was alone on Mart Crag and unable to find her way down. She was given instructions to locate Stake Pass, and a small group was dispatched to track her down. Somehow she managed to miss the path at Stake Pass and was located descending from Rossett Ghyll, having traversed around the back of Rossett Pike. It was agreed that she would undertake some navigation tuition in the very near future!

Three men were caught in a rockfall in Kilnshaw Chimney. One was uninjured, but a second received injuries to his hand and a third to his knee and shoulder. They were treated and evacuated with help from Kendal MRT.

A woman got her foot stuck in a crack on Ash Tree ledge about 100 foot up Gimmer Crag, and was unable to extract herself for in excess of 40 minutes. The team was called, and arrived at the base of the crag to be notified that she had just managed to free herself. She was able to continue the climb with a bruised foot.

A woman phoned to say she had seen a man shouting for help and waving. She descended to report it, and we joined forces with Patterdale to locate the person. He was located and it was discovered that he was suffering from serious back and shoulder injuries. He was treated and evacuated to hospital by helicopter.

A 29-year-old man became cragfast on Jack’s Rake. He phoned for help and we rescued him. This coincided with an open evening with about 60 people visiting the base.
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A man was reported missing overnight. A search was organised, and he was located in Borrowdale, cold and shaken, but OK.

A 40-year-old man phoned his wife to say that he was getting tired and was going to be late. She phoned us and we went and looked for him. He was located in Mickleden, exhausted, but moving under his own steam, having 'borrowed' some food from some campers. He was reunited with his family at Lowfold.

A 20-year-old male climber fell from Lower Scout Crag, ripping out all his gear and hitting the ground. He sustained an open fracture to his femur, a broken wrist, two fractures to his arm, a fractured jaw, and head injuries. The left-hand picture, below, shows the severe shortening caused by the femur fracture, and the third picture shows damage to his helmet.
head injury.

A woman slipped and sustained a displaced fracture to her ankle. The team treated her and carried her to the valley were she was transported to Ambleside and then on to hospital by ambulance.

A 43-year-old man fell approximately 40 feet from the lower section of Pavey Ark. He sustained head injuries, a jaw fracture and a neck fracture, and lost consciousness for a while. A doctor in the group provided initial first aid, maintaining his airway. He was treated, and airlifted to Furness General Hospital. The remainder of the group, a mixture of adults and children, were escorted from the hill by team members.

A man in his 70s collapsed while descending Far Easedale. He was described to us as stumbling and delirious. Initial reports of his location were contradictory, but he was quickly tracked down and evacuated to West Cumberland Hospital by a helicopter from RN Gannett. He was diagnosed at hospital as having a heart condition.

A woman slipped and sustained a wrist injury. She was treated by team members and evacuate to the valley.

A 15-year-old girl sustained a suspected fracture to her ankle. She was part of a well organised and equipped group of Air Cadets. She was treated and evacuated with help from Kendal MRT. They wrote us a very nice thank you letter.

A young male was reported overdue at his destination in Langdale. He had set off from Wasdale, but not arrived. A search was organised, involving SARDA, Keswick MRT, Wasdale MRT and ourselves. He was located at 04.45, cragfast at Hanging Knotts. He was cold and wet, but otherwise unharmed. He was escorted to Langdale by members of Langdale MRT and then repatriated.

A man slipped and sustained a suspected lower leg fracture. He was treated at the scene and evacuated to the valley. He was a big fellow, and there were a few bad backs.

We were asked by the Police to investigate flashing lights on Raven Crag. We found a couple of campers and left them to it.

While dealing with the first incident we were notified of a second incident at Dungeon Ghyll. A woman had slipped and sustained a suspected fractured ankle. At this stage Kendal MRT were called to assist. She was treated and evacuated to the valley. Later information revealed that she had sustained three fractures to her tibia and fibula.

A very experienced male climber in his 50s fell while leading. Unfortunately some of his runners failed and he hit the ground. His injuries were multiple and very serious and, sadly, he died as a result.

The team was asked to assist the Police with a search of an inaccessible stretch of river bank in connection with the discovery of a young woman's body.

A 60-year-old Rochdale man slipped on the descent from Red Screes, just above Pets Quarry. He sustained a suspected fractured ankle. He was treated and evacuated by stretcher, with assistance from Kendal MRT.

We were made aware of a scout group of consisting 8 children and 2 adults who had got into difficulty near the Priest Hole, Patterdale. This is not our area, but in contacting Patterdale MRT to make them aware, our assistance was requested. Eleven team members and Paddy (dog) went to assist. The group had been attempting to reach the Priest Hole to camp there, but had been overwhelmed by severe weather. We found a group of very cold children, some without footwear. The weather was variable, ranging from still moonlight to force 8 winds and driving snow, but generally deteriorating. A helicopter had been requested, but was having extreme difficulty in getting to the location because of the weather. The group were located, and as soon as the helicopter was able to land, were loaded into it. The helicopter was at its limit of performance, and was only able to get nine party members on board, so one remaining party member and the helicopter winchman were escorted from the hill on foot. All were reunited at Patterdale MRT base. The wisdom of taking a group of children out in these conditions, at night, does have to be questioned. The weather was should have been no surprise. The Met Office had been issuing weather warnings for the previous 36 hours. If the helicopter hadn't managed to evacuate so many of the group at the first attempt, then the rescue would have been considerably more complicated. It is worth noting two 'firsts' during this rescue. One: our Land Rover overtook a Porsche (OK, so the Porsche was sliding backwards down Kirkstone Pass on the snow at the time), and two: a number of team members managed to walk uphill faster than the helicopter (it was having great difficulty making progress into the wind in very poor visibility). A helicopter returned the next day to recover the group’s gear that we had had to abandon. 

The team was asked to assist in a major operation to find and rescue a large number of cockle pickers from the sands in Morecambe Bay. They had been caught by a fast advancing tide. A number of people made their own way to safety, several were rescued, but tragically nineteen drowned. The team sent vehicles, personnel, search dogs and specialist radio equipment. On 15th February another body was located on the sand near Morecambe. One of the problems encountered at the time was that nobody knew how many people were out on the sand. A twenty-first body was subsequently located in early summer.

The team was requested to assist Keswick MRT in a search of the central fells for four walkers who had reported themselves lost in mist by mobile phone. They were located on Allen Crags, way off their intended route. Team members got home around 2am.

We suffered a prolonged bout of very heavy rain. We were requested to assist the Police when they became inundated with calls by motorists stuck in floods.

A canoeist was reported by a passer-by as in difficulty. He passed under a bridge in Ambleside shouting for help. The team was called and the canoeist was accounted for, having managed to get himself out of the water. Nice canoeing weather, but not so good otherwise.
ambulance.

A 40-year-old woman slipped while descending and sustained deep lacerations to her head. She was on steep and difficult terrain and was significantly off her intended descent route. Other than their navigational error, they were well equipped and experienced. Rescues in the dark and snow are always so much more interesting than the rest.

While the previous incident was under way, we were made aware of a father and son who were overdue from their walk in the Bowfell area. Fortunately they turned up in Borrowdale before we had to go and look for them.

Kendal MRT called us to assist them with a search for two missing people overdue on a walk from Kentmere to Troutbeck. They were reported missing by their mother, when they failed to show up at the pub that she was waiting in. They were located in another pub. We all went home.
very high winds and heavy rain.

A number of incidents were dealt with during the continued snow fall.

Heavy snow caused difficult driving conditions, so we were asked to assist the Ambulance Service with the transport of a casualty to hospital in Kendal. Happy New Year.

A man from Kendal allowed his dog, Zeus, to fall in to the top of Kilnshaw Chimney. It couldn't get back out because the ice build-up. He then went into the gully and couldn't get back out either. Fortunately someone passing, carrying a rope and crampons, lowered himself in to the gully and stabilised both, preventing a serious deterioration in the circumstances. We arrived and extracted Zeus and his owner, the other man having the wherewithal to sort himself out. Our casualty assured us he knew what he was doing, but failed to follow instructions to fasten on a helmet that we had lowered him. When he moved it fell off and dropped 130 metres to the scree below, scrapping it. He also claimed to be a regular fell-goer, but was on a 770-metre mountain in snow and ice in jeans, trainer and a sweatshirt. Not surprisingly, he was very cold. We have drawn our conclusions from what we witnessed. I'll leave you to draw yours.

A father and son became separated in a snow storm and started to shout to each other, at the same time as the local hunt passed through the area. The combined shouts were reported as shouts for help. We investigated and didn't find anyone in need of our assistance, so we left them all to it. A false alarm with good intent.

We were asked to assist the ambulance service with the evacuation of a man who had suffered head and neck injuries on a high section of the adventure playground at Brockhole Visitor Centre. They had treated his injuries, but needed us to lower him off with our ropes. Dropping him down the slide was ruled out!

We were contacted by a man who had become disoriented in the mist and dark, and who was unsure of his way down. He was met by team members in Far Easedale, and returned to his car.

We were contacted by a man who had lost his compass and his way. He was located within sight of Easedale Tarn, and guided down.

A young woman collapsed, reported as diabetic and pregnant. Her partner called us for help, but didn't really know where they where. We were given three different locations, 2km apart. We eventually located them just as it was going dark. The woman was very cold, and unable to move; the man cold, but still able to walk. The woman was treated for her hypothermia and evacuated to the valley on our stretcher. The man was given additional clothing and escorted down as well. They had no map or compass, no torch, no spare clothing, no waterproofs, and it is certain that the woman would have died before daybreak had we not found them. Their clothing was totally inadequate for the fells in any conditions, let alone in the rain, hail, and thunder & lightning that we encountered while trying to find them. We were assisted by RAF Leeming MRT.

A father and son were reported as missing on a walk from Langdale to Scafell. A search was organised with help from Keswick and Wasdale MRTs and SARDA. After a number of reported sightings by people camping in the area, they were located near Greta Ghyll on the Corridor Route at 6.30am. They were okay, but cold and were evacuated to Wasdale. It turns out that they had got to Scafell by asking directions, but seem to have run out of people to ask for directions back again!

A couple got separated on the approach to Crinkle Crags. The husband went back to look for his wife, but couldn't find her. We were called to search for her, and she was located at Brotherilkeld. SARDA were also called to help out.

A woman suffered a diabetic collapse. She was treated by a Paramedic from Cumbria Ambulance Service and evacuated by the team.

A woman slipped while scrambling. She fell approximately 100 feet, sustaining multiple injuries including suspected pelvic fractures, possible spleen damage, multiple rib fractures, leg fractures, wrist, back and head injuries. She was treated by team members at the scene and airlifted to Whitehaven by the RAF.

A woman slipped while descending, banging her head and fracturing her wrist. She was obviously in a great deal of pain, and was also nauseous. She was treated by team members and stretchered to our ambulance for transport to hospital.

A young man was running with two friends when he took a tumble in a disused quarry. He sustained a deep cut to his kneecap. The cut was treated by the Team Doctor, and he was evacuated from the quarry by stretcher. His friends were loaned spare warm clothing and escorted from the hillside at the same time.

A 71-year-old man suffered a diabetic collapse. He was assisted by passers-by until we arrived. Once he had eaten and rested he was assisted to his car. He was checked by a doctor and given the all-clear to drive home.

A woman in her 60s slipped while descending steep grass and sustained a suspected fracture to her right ankle. It's possible that her totally inappropriate footwear may have contributed to her slip.

A man taking part in a mountain trial took a tumble, sustaining a head injury, shoulder injury, and multiple cuts and grazes. We were able to drive very close to him, and didn't have to expend too much energy in rescuing him.

A man in his 60s sustained a knee injury on Blea Rigg. He was treated by team members, and stretchered down. We had a good turn out, since many team members were en route to a planned training session.

A man sustained leg injury on the summit of Helm Crag. He was treated by team members, and stretchered down with help from Kendal MRT.

A woman slipped and sustained a fractured tibia and fibula. Her leg was splinted, and she was given pain relief and then evacuated to the valley for onward transport to hospital.

A woman got left behind when she failed to keep up with her party. They reported her missing when they got back. She was reported as having a heart condition. A search was organised, but she turned up back at their hotel, in a taxi, just as we prepared to start. We never did find out where she'd been!

A man sustained a suspected fractured ankle when he slipped on the lake shore during a family barbecue. An ambulance was called, and treated the man. We were called to assist with the evacuation up the steep ground to were the ambulance was parked.

A woman sustained a head injury when she slipped on the descent from Loft Crag. She was treated at the scene and taken to hospital.

A man fell off the back of his bike after he failed to climb a steep, rocky track, sustaining a head injury in the process. We did our stuff and he was taken to hospital for treatment.

A man slipped just below the Bad Step and sustained a deep gash to his lower leg. He was treated by team members then airlifted to hospital by the RAF, who were in the area.