Incidents

Cries for help were heard in the area. We investigated and found a local farmer bringing in his sheep. Our assistance was not required!

A 40-year-old mountain biker fell from his mountain bike and sustained arm, shoulder and chest injuries and a suspected fractured skull. He had been knocked unconscious. He was attended by team members and a team doctor, and then transported to hospital.

 A couple in their 40's were reported overdue at their holiday accommodation in Ambleside. They had set off from Langdale to go to Scafell at around 9.30am and not returned. A search was being organised when they turned up. They had gone off Scafell on the Wasdale side in error, and had to take a taxi back to Ambleside.

A 61 year old woman was unable to descend from the top and needed some help because of arthritis and a previous spinal injury. She was carried to the roadside by stretcher and referred to a Doctor for a once over.

A man slipped and sustained an ankle injury in wet conditions. We treated him in our usual way, and took him to hospital. One or two of us were still a little weary from the night before !

Two male mountain bikers, one aged 44, one aged 50, were reported overdue from a ride. One was reported to suffer from a medical condition. Clues in their car suggested they had either gone over into Langdale, Tilberthwaite and Claife Heights, or onto the Helvellyn range. With the aid of Keswick and Patterdale MRTs, we searched a large area for them. They were located at 9.30am, next morning, having spent the night in the Armboth Fell area. If they'd left a route with somebody, taken lights, and chosen a route that was possible to complete in daylight, they would have saved everybody a lot of effort! One was taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia.

A concerned citizen called in to Grasmere Information Centre and reported seeing a group of six, in difficulty, descending Cockley Crag. Before we were able to speak to this informant, they disappeared. We investigated, located a group who had been experiencing difficulty in a different area, and went home. Let's be honest! Reporting half the story is neither use, nor ornament. If somebody is going to report an incident, they've got to stick around so we can talk to them!

A 68-year-old woman slipped and banged her head. She then fell 20 feet. She was treated at the scene and evacuated by helicopter to Furness General Hospital.

A 48-year-old woman sustained an ankle fracture when she slipped on the fellside. She was treated at the scene and evacuated to the roadside.

A 71-year-old Swiss woman slipped while descending and sustained a suspected ankle fracture. We administered the usual TLC and carried her down with assistance from Kendal MRT

Two women in their 60's were hit by a large branch when it fell from a tree. One received head injuries and the second an ankle injury. An ambulance attended and we helped to evacuate them both. They seemed to think they were lucky not to be more seriously injured. Another way of looking at it is that they were unlucky to be under one of the few trees around when it self destructed!

Shouts for help were heard in the area. This was reported to us and we went to investigate. Several people were spoken to and nobody appeared to be in difficulty. It's just possible that someone was having a 'laugh' and it went to far!

A man in his 50's was reported overdue at his accommodation in Wasdale. He was due to walk over from Langdale but never arrived. We were asked to assist Wasdale MRT by searching escape routes back to Langdale. He was located making his way off the hill, having endured a very wet and uncomfortable night.

A party of walkers were reported overdue. They had set of on a 30 mile route and not returned. They had left no route, but cunning detective work on our part allowed us to work it out. They had been last sighted at Nan Bield Pass at 12.30, lunchtime when one of their number abandoned and returned home. A large scale search using 4 search dogs, and Patterdale, Kendal and Penrith Mountain Rescue Teams was organised. They turned up back in Ambleside at 4.15a.m. having got lost and come back the long way round. They seemed a little surprised that anyone was concerned about them. Four hours sleep down the pan! What can you say!

A 50-year-old woman slipped and damaged her lower leg. She continued to walk, but we were called to assist. We did.

A 40-year-old woman slipped and sustained a suspected fracture to her elbow.

A man in his 50's suffered a twisted knee. He was evacuated to the valley with the help of members of Patterdale MRT

A 56-year-old man fell while walking on Loughrigg and suffered a suspected fracture to his leg. He was given first aid and evacuated to hospital.

Three climbers were benighted part way up Middlefell Buttress when they set off to late to complete their climb in daylight. They could not find a way off the crag. They flashed their only light to attract attention and phoned for help on a mobile phone. We went up the descent gulley, and brought them back down the same way.

We were alerted by a mobile phone call from a 15-year-old boy, that he had become separated from his 72-year-old Grandfather when he had been allowed to carry on to Scafell summit, while his grandfather waited for him in the Great End area. After having spoken to the boy, they were reunited and we were assured that they were making their way back to Langdale. A further phone call at around 11.30pm informed us that they had not made such good progress and were having to stop on what they assured us was The Band. A quick search of The Band told us that they were not there, so a  full scale search was instigated. With help from Keswick, Wasdale, Millom, and Kendal MRTs, SARDA and a Royal Navy helicopter, they were eventually located on Glaramara at around 9.30a.m on 16th. This is a considerable distance from where they thought they were. They were cold, wet and hopelessly ill-equipped.

A 13-year-old boy slipped and suffered a suspected sprained ankle. He was treated at the scene and evacuated to the valley on a stretcher. We were assisted by 8 members of Kendal MRT.

A 62-year-old man slipped in smooth soled shoes and sustained an ankle injury. The ambulance was already there, so we helped out and went home.

A 47-year-old man was descending from a climb when he was hit by a very large boulder falling down the gulley. He sustained a very serious fracture to his lower leg. He was treated at the scene and airlifted to Carlisle Hospital by RAF Boulmer. Considering the number of people enjoying the fine weather in the area, we were lucky to not have to deal with other injured people. Sadly, we later learned that due to the severity of his injuries, his foot had to be amputated.

A 25-year-old man slipped whilst out late. He sustained an ankle injury and was unable to walk. It's just possible alcohol was involved

 A 65-year-old man was reported missing by his wife. She was waiting for him at Grasmere after the split on their walk. He was located at their home having made his own arrangements

We were asked by Keswick MRT to assist in a search for a missing man. He turned up before we'd gone to far!

This couple in their 70's got a little out of their depth when they went for a wander from their hotel. They became 'cragfast' on a steep path and had to been assisted to more reasonable ground by team members.

This 57-year-old man slipped and sustained a suspected ankle fracture. He was taking photographs of low flying planes when the accident occurred. We don't have a category of accident called 'photography' and it's unlikely we'll start one either!

A woman slipped and suffered an ankle injury. She was attended by the Ambulance service and we carried her down the hillside.

A couple from the Essex area were reported long over due. They turned up unhurt while we were making a preliminary search. It's unusual for people to get lost this close to the longest day.

This 69-year-old lady collapsed near to the cave. She was able to walk to our vehicles and was taken to the Health Centre where one of the GP's looked at her.

An Australian woman, who was taking a short walk away from her tour party, slipped and fractured her ankle. The team were called and did the usual stuff. Once again the international nature of our care showed through 

A local fell runner slipped and sustained a suspected fracture of the ankle. He was stretchered off the fell with the help of RAF Leeming, who were in the area.

After a night on the fells this woman could not continue her walk any more because of ligament trouble in her knee. The usual stuff followed and a quick rescue was had by all.

We were alerted to a suspected heart attack in Rossett Ghyll. It turned out to be a suspected epileptic fit in Stake Ghyll. We were able to work out the difference and sort the problem. We were assisted by a helicopter from RAF Boulmer.

The previous incident had only just got going when we had to reorganise our resources and attend this 32-year-old man. He had crashed his paraglider and suffered spinal injuries and an open fracture to his left leg. Again we were assisted by RAF Boulmer who took him, along with the first casualty, to hospital.

A 32-year-old local woman slipped and suffered a dislocated right knee. It's a long way to the back of Bowfell. We were assisted by some members of Cockermouth MRT who were training in the area, and a helicopter from RAF Boulmer.

A 62-year-old local woman slipped while descending and suffered a suspected ankle fracture. There's a cracking view from up there!

We were called by the Ambulance service to assist with the rescue of a Swiss Paraglider who had crashed on a crag on Wrynose Pass. Sadly, as we arrived on scene, we were notified by the Paramedics attending that he had died as a result of his injuries. We recovered his body and equipment to the road side and then back to Ambleside.

A 33-year-old woman slipped and sustained a suspected ankle fracture. She was conveyed down the hill on our stretcher and taken to hospital in Kendal. What a fine day for a walk! Summer has arrived!

This middle-aged male from Poulton-le-Fylde could not continue his walk after complaining of pains in his knee. An old injury had flared up. This incident was reported as Nab Scar, but he was eventually found on Heron Pike and stretchered off. He was taken to Westmorland General Hospital via county ambulance.

A 27-year-old male from the Bristol area slipped whilst descending the ghyll path and aggravated a previous knee injury. He was unable to continue. We stretchered him down and he was taken to hospital in his own car.

A 19 year-old-woman slipped and pitched forward sustaining head and neck injuries. Because of the potential seriousness of her injuries, she was airlifted to West Cumberland hospital. X-rays later showed only bruising. Some of our casualties are trussed like oven-ready-chickens, and end up having little wrong with them. This may seem like overkill, but is much safer than if we leave a serious injury unsupported. Spinal and neck injuries are often difficult to diagnose on the hill, but if not treated carefully, could lead to paralysis or even death. We often praise self-reliance, but in cases like this specialist equipment is essential.

This 50-year-old male from the Birmingham area slipped and sustained a nasty dislocation of the left shoulder. This was a busy day for us and the local Ambulance service.

A 38-year-old lady slipped whilst descending the path and sustained a suspected fractured ankle. She was stretchered off and her family where escorted to the valley.

We were requested to search this area by Keswick MRT. A man had phoned to say that he had become separated from his companions while crossing Greenup Edge, and despite trying, couldn't find his way down. He was able to tell us he was sitting in snow on a North West facing slope. He was eventually located descending with another party. Oddly, his friends(!) had got into a taxi in Grasmere and continued to Patterdale without him. At what time they would have reported him missing is anybodies guess!

A 10-year-old boy became separated from his father in the Jenkins Crag area. He made his way to the Low Wood Hotel, where his father found him.

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).

We were just sorting gear from the previous rescue when we received a call saying that two men were cragfast on Pavey Ark. We set off to sort them out and the helicopter offered to return to assist. Before we knew it, they had sorted themselves out and disappeared. We never saw them again! 

A 16-year-old boy on a training expedition collapsed with abdominal pains. He was unable to move. He was airlifted to hospital. It wasn't appendicitis and he was discharged next day.

A 21-year-old local student took a tumble while descending from a rock climb. He was reported as having fallen 100 metres. He had been unconscious, but his friend was helping him down. We treated his very obvious head injuries and shipped him off to hospital at Lancaster. He was later transferred to Preston for surgery on his depressed fractured skull.

A 21-year-old local student took a tumble while descending from a rock climb. He was reported as having fallen 100 metres. He had been unconscious, but his friend was helping him down. We treated his very obvious head injuries and shipped him off to hospital at Lancaster. He was later transferred to Preston for surgery on his depressed fractured skull.

A 65-year-old man collapsed with chest pains. He was treated for his symptoms and taken to Furness Hospital by helicopter.

A 63-year-old woman slipped and sustained a suspected ankle fracture. She was stretchered off the fell and taken to hospital.

This man tripped and fell, sustaining head, arm and leg injuries. We were assisted by a helicopter from RN Prestwick, which conveyed him to hospital, after initial treatment.

A 42-year-old woman slipped into a snow filled gully and had to be assisted out by the team. She was than escorted off the fell, unhurt.

A man from a family party slipped and sustained an ankle fracture on a steep path. The incident was reported in a different location, but we sussed it out and sorted it!

A group of two adults and two children phoned the police saying they were lost in the region of Ore Gap, but had no map, so weren't certain. They were located at the top of Rossett Ghyll and escorted to safety. They were suffering from cold. A map would have eased their difficulties. We were assisted by Keswick MRT, because it was possible that they had gone down towards Borrowdale.

A 43-year-old man suffered an epileptic fit. When we arrived he had recovered. He was taken to Ambleside Health Centre and seen by a Doctor, then went on his way.

A 30-year-old man slipped and sustained a possible ankle fracture. We treated him and he was taken to hospital.

A man slipped and sustained a suspected lower leg fracture. We splinted his leg and carried him off the fellside.

A 10-year-old local boy saw someone waving their arms and shouting on the fell. We investigated and found nothing. Quad bike tracks and a complete lack of sheep suggested it was a farmer rounding up sheep.

We were asked to assist the Ambulance service to evacuate a man who had suffered a suspected heart attack.

Same scenario, but three people, a different place. Same outcome.

This couple phoned their father to say they were lost. He phoned the Police. They phoned us. We found them. (Search dog Yana, again) We took them to their hotel. We went home.

Two people were reported overdue from their walk. A search was organised and they were located by team search dogs Anna and Yana, at 3am taking shelter in the tents of campers near Three Tarns. They were escorted to safety.

"Let's all meet-up in the year 2000"; sang Jarvis Cocker. You know him; he did a couple of good songs and pointed out that Michael Jackson was an egomaniac. Anyway, before we got chance to do this we had to meet one more time in 1999 to go and rescue this woman from high above Slapestone Edge. She had lost the path and got stuck in decreasing daylight. She was reported as in difficulty by three separate parties, not one of which went to her aid. We located her and returned her to her accommodation, just in time to join the party! We did all meet up in the year 2000, and not far in to it either, but that's another year.
 

Surely nobody would venture up a steep, snow and ice covered hillside, dressed only in town clothes to take a photo of the sunset and then get stuck when it went dark? This kind of foolishness may result in a mountain rescue team being called out to rescue them before they fell or froze to death. Well sometimes the most unlikely things happen and in this case two brothers, aged 19 and 23, did just that. We rescued them and in debriefing them pointed out that the clothing, crampons, torches, ice axes and ropes that their rescuers were wearing and carrying were not part of a fancy dress costume! But our year didn't end there.

A 33-year-old local man working on the path repairs on Dollywagon Pike sustained injuries to his leg when a rock rolled on to him. His colleagues helped him to the top of Raise Beck and we carried him down from there.

A 36-year-old woman sustained a suspected fractured pelvis and spinal injuries after she became separated from her sledge. She was treated at the scene and then taken to hospital in Lancaster.

This 62-year-old woman sustained a leg injury when she slipped and fell.

A father and son were reported overdue. A search was organised, involving Keswick MRT, Wasdale MRT and SARDA. They were in the Calf Cove area by a search dog, unhurt, but cold. They were lucky, because information about their route was sketchy, and the area covered was very large.

A couple in their 20s got into difficulty when they overestimated their ability and became benighted, cold and wet. They phoned for help on their mobile phone. We located them after a brief search, and assisted them from the fell. Apart from some damage to clothing, they were unscathed. Unfortunately, if they learned anything from their experience, it wasn't immediately obvious.

This 64-year-old got into difficulty after he started to suffer from chest pains. He was treated at the scene by the team and then flown to Carlisle Hospital, accompanied by the team doctor. He was later confirmed as having had a heart attack.

An early start to the rescue day saw us slogging up to Alcock Tarn to retrieve a 65-year-old man with a lower leg injury. He was carried off the fell and taken to hospital.

A couple in their 50s phoned 999 on their mobile phone when they became lost in mist. They had no idea where they were, but our shrewd detective work pinned them down to the Stickle Tarn area. Once they were guided to the tarn, they were able to find their way off the hill. We really have got better things to do with our time!

A 58-year-old man slipped while descending and sustained injuries to his head and hip. He was stretchered from the fell and taken to Ambleside Health Centre for a once over by a doctor. We were assisted by Kendal MRT.

An 83-year-old man got into difficulty and became exhausted while descending The Band. His party was overtaken by darkness. We stretchered him off and escorted the rest of the party down.

An Ambleside resident spotted flashing lights. We investigated and found a local farmer going about his business. We left him to it. A false alarm with good intent.

A 57-year-old South Cumbrian woman tripped and fell 100 ft. into the upper reaches of Dungeon Ghyll. She suffered very serious multiple injuries and despite our best efforts, sadly, died during the evacuation, We were assisted by RAF Leeming and three members of Furness MRT.

The Police requested us investigate shouts for help. We located an 83-year-old Belgian man struggling in the dark with a broken finger and no torch. He was helped back to his guesthouse for a sleep, and his finger was treated the following day.

This 39-year-old man slipped on steep, loose ground and sustained a suspected ankle fracture. Once we actually located him, we did the usual sort of stuff.

A 51-year-old man slipped and fell, sustaining a suspected wrist fracture and multiple lacerations. He was treated on the hill and then evacuated to the valley by stretcher.

A 53-year-old London woman slipped and suffered a suspected ankle fracture. An ambulance had been called and we were requested to assist with her evacuation.

Lights were spotted and we went to check them out. Nothing was found, so we went home at midnight. A well-intentioned false alarm.

We were requested by Keswick MRT to open our base to assist with communications and provide a search dog to assist in finding two young men missing in the Central Fells. They turned up later that morning, unharmed.

Number 3 of a busy day. We were asked to assist Kendal MRT with the treatment and evacuation of a woman who had collapsed suffering from the effects of heat. She was near the summit of Ill Bell. Before we got there a helicopter appeared from nowhere and took her away. It took us a bit by surprise, but it saved us a fair bit of sweat.

While the previous incident was in progress, we were alerted to cries for help from a steep slope on the side of Harrison Stickle. We spent 3½ hours checking the area before all persons were accounted for and we could return home. A good example of inappropriate use of a mobile phone.

A man descending on his mountain bike lost control and collided with a wall when he failed to negotiate a bend. His helmet prevented head injuries but his leg was trapped in his rear suspension. His friends dismantled part of the bike to free him, and we treated his injuries and evacuated him.

A 72-year-old woman slipped and sustained a knee injury. Her leg was splinted and she was stretchered off the hill. Poor footwear may well have contributed to this accident.
 

We were called to assist a blind man and his wife who were making very slow progress. They had been delayed after getting lost and having to retrace their steps. Two men came across them. One stayed to help while the other one went ahead to get help. When we arrived at Stool End Farm the farmer had gone up on his quad-bike and brought them all down. The two men who helped then realised they had lost their car keys when one of them had slipped. They were put up at the farmhouse and they went home next day. It was unfortunate that they should suffer this inconvenience after helping the others. Sometimes life is cruel.

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.

A woman slipped and sustained an ankle injury. She was splinted and carried down the hill and taken to Westmorland General Hospital.

We were called out to attend a 60-year-old woman, who had tripped and fallen, sustaining pelvic injuries. The team assembled and waited for a lift uphill from an RAF helicopter in the area, but it went and rescued the woman without us. She was flown to Furness General Hospital for treatment.

Two people became lost in the mist descending Loft Crag. By chance they found a work hut left by the National Trust. They were told to stay put while a couple of people went up and escorted them down.

A 17-year-old girl suffered a serious asthma attack near the Caves. She was walking with a group of other asthmatics. They treated her with their own equipment, including oxygen and we stretchered her of the fell.
 

This 71-year-old woman collapsed with suspected high blood pressure. She was taken in our ambulance to Ambleside Health Centre where she was seen by a GP.
 

A 54-year-old man had to shout for help after he slipped and sustained a suspected ankle fracture on the screes below Esk pike. He was treated at the scene and airlifted to West Cumberland Hospital by RAF Boulmer. The helicopter then very decently came back and carried team members down as well.
 

This 28-year-old man travelled all the way from Victoria, Australia, only to slip and sustain a suspected fracture of his lower leg. We treated him with the usual compassion, took advantage of his inability to escape by telling him bad jokes and then carried him down.
 

A 66-year-old man collapsed with heat exhaustion. He was treated with oxygen and taken to Westmorland General Hospital.
 

A 69-year-old woman collapsed with heat exhaustion. She was treated with intravenous fluids and oxygen and taken by helicopter to Furness General Hospital.
 

We were called out to assist a man in difficulty with a leg injury. When we got there he had made his way into Mickleden. We picked him up in our ambulance and didn't need to go on the hill.
 

People leaving the New Dungeon Ghyll hotel observed flashing lights from the valley. When team members arrived, they also saw them. When they arrived on the summit to investigate, they found approximately eight people scattered around the few flat bits sleeping peacefully. They denied any part in any flashing light type antics, but there seemed little likelihood that anyone else was involved.
 

A 16-year-old boy slipped in training shoes and after hitting a tree root, sustained an open fracture to his lower right leg. He was treated with painkillers and a splint and carried to an ambulance, for onward transport to Furness Hospital.
 

A New Zealand woman slipped and sustained an ankle injury. We did our usual stuff, with the aid of an interpreter, and took her to Kendal Hospital in our ambulance.

This woman sustained pelvic injuries when she slipped just a few miles short of completing the Dales Way.
 

A 44-year-old man fell down a small hole and sustained an ankle injury. Kendal MRT assisted us on this rescue.
 

Two women were reported overdue at their coach after a walk. They turned up in Ambleside as we were organising a search.

A participant on a National Park guided walk slipped and sustained a suspected ankle fracture. The leader called for help via their headquarters by radio, and we were alerted. We did the usual stuff and she was sent to Keswick Hospital.
 

A 62-year-old man slipped on the wet grass and sustained a knee injury. He was carried off the fell and taken to hospital in his own car.
 

This woman slipped and sustained an arm fracture. She was carried off the fell and taken to Kendal in our ambulance.
 

A 50-year-old man jumped across the beck and slipped back, sustaining a leg fracture and head injuries. He was treated at the scene and airlifted to Whitehaven by RAF Leconfield.
 

Two men on a sponsored walk were reported overdue. They were amongst 20 or so unaccounted for, but for some reason were causing the organisers concern, when the others weren't. We found them after a brief search. We went home quickly before the status of any of the others changed. The organisers had a great plan in place with respect to emergencies, but like all plans they work really well until you introduce people into them! Mountain Rescue Teams in the Lake District share a common dislike for sponsored events on the hills. They bring inexperienced and badly equipped people into the hills who would not come otherwise, and although they raise money for very worthy charities, they cost our own very worthy charities a fortune in time and money.
 

This 24-year-old man slipped and sustained an ankle injury. We were assisted in his evacuation by helicopters from RAF Valley and Boulmer. Investigation revealed that he was not as badly injured as we had been led to believe.
 

Two boys heard 'cries for help' in the Walthwaite area. A small search was organised to check the area but nothing was found. The noises were attributed to sheep.
 

Campers, including an Auxiliary Coastguard, spotted flares in the vicinity of Stickle Tarn. The area was searched with manpower and a dog, but nothing was found.
 

While on callout 20, we were notified that a man was missing in the same area. A brief search located him, safe and well.
 

We were called to this incident in error. It is actually in the area covered by Coniston MRT. We notified them of the incident and called out their team. We located the informant and handed the incident over to them.
 

A 34-year-old-man from a party of three slipped while scrambling in a gully. He sustained spinal and wrist fractures, as well as suffering shock and cuts and bruises. He was stabilised at the scene and flown to Furness General Hospital by RAF Boulmer.
 

A 60-year-old woman slipped and sustained a possible ankle fracture. We did our stuff.
 

Two people became seperated from their companions on Crinle Crags. They were reported missing. They were located after  brief search. 

While trying to find a short cut to the previous incident, and avoid the slog up a steep hill, one vehicle full of team members came across a second incident. Although similar, it was completely unconnected to the first.
  

This 27-year-old woman slipped on the descent from Alcock Tarn and sustained a suspected lower leg fracture. We did the usual and carried her down.
  

This location is becoming a favourite, and so are the circumstances. Lost in mist and unable to find their way off, this group of six used a mobile phone to ask for help. They were located by 'Paddy', a four-legged team member, and escorted off by some of our two legged team members. No one was injured. This was Paddy's first find.
 

The recurrence of an old knee injury meant that this 24-year-old man was unable to descend from Sergeant Man. We received slightly conflicting information as to his exact whereabouts, but eventually we found him and carried him off. Three members of RAF Leeming MRT who where in the area assisted.
 

A visiting senior policeman spotted a 'cylinder type' object under a stone and reported a bomb to Cumbria police. We (!) were sent to investigate and the Bomb Disposal people were alerted. We found the suspect device to be conventional smoke flare and carried it down. Everyone went home.

We picked this 26-year-old woman up in Mickleden after she had continued to descend after sustaining a pelvic injury. Despite the injury, she made good time and saved us going on to the hill.
 

A 61-year-old woman slipped and sustained an ankle fracture. Inappropriate footwear may have played a part.
 

A 41-year-old man slipped at the caves and fractured his right arm. We were called to help, but he was able to walk to our Landrover.
 

Passing walkers discovered the body of a 49-year-old man. He had died of a heart attack. We were flown to the scene by RAF Boulmer and recovered his body to Ambleside.
 

A man collapsed with what was reported as a leg injury. Our diagnosis was a heart attack and we treated it accordingly. The leg pain was a consequence of the heart attack, not the cause of the problem. He was airlifted to Furness General Hospital.
 

A 90-year-old woman, who walked regularly along the lakeshore, was reported overdue for her lunch. A small search was organised when she was located by two fell runners and taken home. She had slipped and sustained minor head, leg and wrist injuries.
 

Four separated parties met up on the summit of Long Top and phoned for help on a mobile when they became disorientated and frightened. A couple of fast team members were sent to locate them and start the descent, and a couple of ploddy ones followed up with more lights, hot drinks and a nameless chocolate bar to assist with the walk off. The worrying thing was that several of the party should never have been there in the first place, due to lack of experience. Two of the party should really have been able to find a way down, given they were carrying a GPS, and had sufficient experience to make it possible to sort themselves out.

The team members who had managed to avoid the previous incident, (and we know who they were) were sent instead to Grizedale Tarn to check for the source of whistles that had been heard by two descending climbers. A search with dogs and personnel found nothing, but we later found out that an incident had occurred and the party had self-evacuated.
 

If ever we wanted to get revenge for the wild goose chase we had been sent on by Kendal MRT on the previous incident, then tonight was sweet. (We didn't really want revenge; it wasn't their fault). In the blue corner was an 18 stone, 6'8" man with a suspected fractured ankle, teamed up with icy conditions and darkness, and a long way from civilisation. In the red corner were LAMRT and Kendal MRT trying to rescue him. We did it, but it was a close fought battle and nearly a draw. Those involved took three or four days to recover and walk normally again. Finding and treating the man took 21/2 hours and the evacuation took 51/2 hours.
 

We were asked to assist Kendal MRT in the search for a 30-year-old man who had gone for a 'short walk' at 12.30 and was now well overdue. Information we received suggested he was in Kentmere, or Scout Scar near Kendal. He was eventually located at Sandside, a small village on the coast, (it's miles away from where we were looking!) so we all went home. You just have to be philosophical at times like this.
 

Patterdale MRT requested our assistance with the evacuation of a 24-year-old woman from Fairfield. We made our way up to the Tarn and met them there in atrocious conditions and helped carry down into Grizedale and on to Patterdale. A late night for all those involved.
 

Heavy snow meant that the local ambulance could not attend an 11-year-old boy, who had slipped at an isolated outdoor centre. We went, armed with shovels and manpower and took him to Furness General Hospital.
 

The team was asked to assist Police and Ambulance with a 4 car crash in the snow just below Kirkstone summit. Road conditions were treacherous and our four-wheel drive vehicles, fitted with snow tires, are able to keep going long after others are stuck. All victims were transported to Ambleside for a check up by the Ambulance Paramedics and then arrangements were made for them to continue their journeys.

The team was requested to extend the area of the previous day's search for the same man. With help from Coniston and Furness MRT, Windermere Lake Warden, and Police divers we did this, and still found nothing. The man is still missing at the time of writing (January '99).

After a car was found by Police, abandoned, we were asked to search the Lakeshore for this man, who was suspected suicidal. With help from SARDA we did this and found nothing.

A man heard cries for help on Red Screes for a period of time, so raised the alarm. A search revealed a man and woman "cooing" to each other. They were asked to go and "coo" elsewhere so as not to confuse innocent passers-by and busy Mountain Rescue Teams. Plonkers.

A man phoned on a mobile phone to say he and his wife were lost and could we give him directions. Now we've been through this before! If you don't know were you are, it's very difficult for us to work out where you are. Fortunately a passing walker, who did know where he was, was able to direct this couple to safety. This type of incident seemed to be on the decline, so it was nice to be reminded that it could still happen. To our surprise, they declined our invitation to a debrief in Ambleside!

A man phoned on a mobile phone to say he and his wife were lost and could we give him directions. Now we've been through this before! If you don't know were you are, it's very difficult for us to work out where you are. Fortunately a passing walker, who did know where he was, was able to direct this couple to safety. This type of incident seemed to be on the decline, so it was nice to be reminded that it could still happen. To our surprise, they declined our invitation to a debrief in Ambleside!

A 58-year-old woman suffered a suspected heart attack. She was carried from the fell and handed over to the ambulance service for further treatment, and transfer to hospital.

While descending from the previous callout team members came across a number of other people in various sized groups, all making heavy going of descending without torches. One of these groups included a woman in the advanced stages of exhaustion. All were escorted to the valley bottom and a number were given hot drinks and taken to their cars to prevent a worsening of their exhausted state. Very few of either these people, or the people from the previous group were equipped for the winter conditions that prevailed on this day, or for the early onset of darkness.
 

A 19-year-old woman slipped about 5 metres below Bowfell summit and damaged her knee. She was treated at the scene and then taken by helicopter to Carlisle. The remaining 15 or so of her party were then escorted down, not having a torch among them.

Eighteen mountain bikers were reported missing en route from Wasdale to Great Langdale. We located 13 of them, the other 5 having not started out. They were all OK, but making slow progress. They were escorted to the valley floor and then transported to their accommodation. A bit of a shambles, and a major under-estimation of the difficulties to be encountered on their chosen route.

While dealing with the previous incident, we were alerted to an elderly woman with a suspected lower leg fracture. After some problems finding her due to the confused state of her elderly husband, she was evacuated from the fell with the assistance of Coniston MRT and taken to Kendal Hospital in the team's ambulance.

A 65-year-old man, walking with friends, collapsed. Despite the efforts of his friends and two passing nurses, he was pronounced dead at the scene by the teams doctor. This was the first fatality we have had to deal with for almost two years.

A woman reported her husband overdue at their rendezvous, the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, after his walk in the fells at the end of Langdale. She had dropped him off at the ODG that morning and was to meet him there at around 4pm that afternoon. After being 3 1/2 hours overdue, she reported the matter to the Police. A team member went to the "Old" to interview the woman to get more information, and located the missing man in the bar of the ODG, exactly where he was supposed to be. With the help of the Barman the woman was tracked down at the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, a mile down the road, having been in the wrong pub for nearly four hours!

A 54-year-old man slipped and sustained a suspected lower leg fracture. We did the usual stuff.

A 73-year-old woman with a history of heart problems collapsed with chest pains while out walking with a group. This is normally outside our area, but due to the potential seriousness of her condition and the time delay in standing down our team and mobilising Coniston MRT, we attended. She was treated with oxygen and monitored, then transferred to a county ambulance.

A man slipped and sustained a lower leg fracture. While he was waiting for us to arrive he also became hypothermic. He was treated by team members and then taken to Furness by a helicopter from RAF Boulmer.

A man ghyll scrambling, alone, fell about 30 ft sustaining spinal, leg and hand injuries. He was treated and, with the help of Kendal MRT, stretchered to our ambulance, and taken to hospital.

A person was reported to be 'drunk' and unresponsive on Loughrigg by a man out walking early. We were asked to take a look by the Police. When we got there and examined the woman, we found an empty whisky bottle and a very large quantity of Paracetomol unaccounted for. The woman was deeply unconscious. She was stabilised at the scene and then taken to Kendal Hospital. She was very ill and was transferred to Furness General. She remained very ill for a few days, and then started to recover.

A 22-year-old woman slipped on this steep descent and sustained a suspected lower leg fracture.

A 58-year-old American woman fractured her ankle after slipping. She was treated with a splint and pain relief at the scene and then carried down the fell. She was unable to stop crying, and was still crying the next day in hospital. We don't carry a cure for this!

This woman slipped and fractured her ankle when walking with her dogs. A helicopter in Ambleside assisted in her evacuation. Team members walked the dogs off. There's money to be made in dog walking, if I'm not mistaken.

A 31-year-old male became cragfast in Mill Ghyll. Team members abseiled to him and helped him to safety. He was unhurt and able to continue under his own steam.

A 14-year-old French boy was hit on the head when Ghyll scrambling with a party. If he'd been wearing a helmet, his injuries would have been much less serious, but he wasn't. He ought to have been wearing a helmet, but he wasn't. I'm sure every outdoor centres' code of practice says he should have been wearing a helmet, but he wasn't. Common sense says he should have been wearing a helmet, but he wasn't. Still, his injuries weren't life threatening. Just a few stitches and a big headache. Warning. If you're sending your kids off on an activity holiday, don't take their safety for granted. Ask a few questions on their safety policy and go with a reputable organisation. This boy came close to going home in a box. Kendal MRT helped with the evacuation.

An 8-year-old French boy got separated from his Aunt and Uncle on the summit of Pike O'Blisco. Firstly, we had to find his Aunt and Uncle, who where still on the fell and then found the boy, on the road near Chapel Stile. This, in case you didn't know, is some distance from Pike O'Blisco!

Our ambulance was requested to assist the Amulance Service with a woman taken ill with thrombosis at a guest house, where the lane was to narrow for their ambulance to get to.

A 63-year-old woman slipped and fractured her ankle.

A 54-year-old man slipped and sustained a serious head wound and possible skull fracture. He was carried down from the fell and taken to Westmorland General Hospital in our ambulance.

We were requested by the Police to recover four elderly people from their car, which had caught fire on Wrynose Pass, rendering it useless. The normal vehicle rescue service was unable to attend for an hour and the occupants were reported to be very cold. They were brought down to our base in Ambleside. The car was recovered later by the RAC.

A 35-year-old New Zealander fell 100 ft while climbing. He was treated at the scene and evacuated to Furness General Hospital by Helicopter.

This father and his three sons became lost in mist. They phoned for help, but were not able to give us much idea of their location. The battery on the phone went flat, so we couldn't talk to them any more. With help from Patterdale MRT they were eventually located in Troutbeck, lost and exhausted. Their common sense was never recovered.

This 21-year-old woman slipped and sustained a leg injury. She was evacuated to the valley, where the team's doctor examined her leg and diagnosed Low Pain Tolerance. She was allowed to go on to her planned overnight accommodation, and required no hospital treatment.

A 55 year-old-man jumped off(!) a wall and injured both legs. He was stetchered down the fell by the team and transferred to hospital.

This young man was reported as having severe spinal injuries. A helicopter was requested to help. On examination his injuries were not found to be serious.

A 79-year-old woman slipped and tumbled, sustaining head, spinal and rib injuries. She was treated and evacuated to Furness General Hospital by helicopter. This was the 1750th rescue attended by the team since its formation.

A woman slipped and fractured her ankle on Bowfell. It's a long way down, so Kendal MRT helped us out.

A woman slipped and tumbled 25 ft down steep fellside. She sustained rib and spinal injuries and minor head injuries. She started to descend, but then collapsed. She was treated at the scene and then evacuated by helicopter to Furness General Hospital.

A woman slipped and tumbled 25 ft down steep fellside. She sustained rib and spinal injuries and minor head injuries. She started to descend, but then collapsed. She was treated at the scene and then evacuated by helicopter to Furness General Hospital.

A 63-year-old American woman slipped on steep fellside and sustained a fractured ankle. We treated her injuries and during the stretcher carry, discussed the difference between the English (MRT) and American sense of humour.

A 45-year-old local man fell 40 ft from the third pitch of this route. He sustained a pneumothorax, surgical emphysema, multiple broken ribs, a bruised heart and a flail chest segment( and a small cut to his leg!). He was treated on scene and evacuated by helicopter to Furness General Hospital. He was in a very serious condition and required paralysing and ventilating in intensive care for several days.

An elderly Belgian woman slipped and sustained a possible wrist fracture. First aid was given through an interpreter and she was taken to hospital in Kendal.

A 17-year-boy slipped and injured his ankle. The injury was minor and the boy seemed to be milking it for all it was worth. We do have a team member or two who are of the opinion that a good slap is an excellent cure for certain ailments. It may have been appropriate here, but there were too many witnesses. Came from just round the corner from my Mum's old house. It's a small world.

Three young people were on a final hike before an expedition to Kenya, and were being "shadowed" by two supervisors. One of the two females suffered a minor ankle injury. One of the supervisors left them to fetch a car to meet them, so they could descend by an easier route, but took 17 hours to reach Langdale! The group were eventually located by Wasdale MRT and were escorted in to Langdale. Sometimes you have to wonder who supervises the supervisors. A traditional "de-brief" followed at our base. Fortunately the Wasdale team didn't have to walk home.

Two suspected drug addicts went on a bender of methadone and hydrocodeine and were found after two days, lying in the sun, dehydrated and delirious. Their lifestyle had taken its toll and one had a heart condition and the other severe problems with their legs. Because of their conditions a helicopter was requested and it flew them to Furness General Hospital. This was possibly a failed suicide attempt.

A 20 year old American was reported as suffering from a heart condition after camping the night at Red Tarn. He was monitored and found to be tachicardic. This may have been a medical condition, or may have been caused by his hideously overweight rucsac.

A 55-year-old man could not get up the Bad Step and agreed to meet his friends on the summit by going round. Surprise, surprise he never turned up. His friends looked for him. We initially checked the roads, and were just about to scale up the search when he turned up in a taxi having gone down to Brotherikeld. He was unhurt, but £35 worse off.

This 76-year-old man collapsed and was pulseless and not breathing. A passing doctor administered CPR and revived the man. He was taken to Furness General Hospital by helicopter. A very lucky man by anyone's standards.

Kendal MRT assisted us in the treatment and evacuation of this woman after she slipped and sustained an ankle fracture. She was taken to hospital in Kendal MRT's ambulance.

This local woman dislocated her kneecap when she fell after her dog pulled her over. You feed them, let them sleep on the end of your bed, chase them round with a plastic bag, take them to the vets and this is the thanks you get!

Requested by Police to investigate a fire high on the fell side to check for people. Stamped out a couple of patches that were still burning.

We were asked to assist the Ambulance Service with the evacuation of this 49-year-old woman who had suffered minor facial injuries after a diabetic collapse.

A man descending a gully after completing a climb took a tumble and sustained injuries to his spine, leg and hand. He was immobilised with our vacuum mattress and a cervical collar and evacuated to the valley bottom. It turned out that he had fractured his C5 and C6 vertebrae. It's a good job we didn't let him walk down, as he wanted to.

An elderly man slipped and sustained serious lacerations to his leg. He was treated and evacuated to the valley.

An Australian woman on a bus tour of the UK slipped and fractured her ankle. Ironically she was one of the best equipped in terms of footwear amongst the group. Some people are just unlucky.

A 68-year-old woman suffered a recurrence of an old knee injury. Someone was sent on ahead to get us, but she made good time and arrived at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel at the same time as we did. The woman was examined at our base and allowed to go home.

A 37-year-old woman slipped and sustained a suspected ankle fracture.

This woman slipped on a steep fellside. She was treated and a passing helicopter saved us the trouble of a carry off.

A young boy from a large party slipped and suffered knee injuries. They helped him down for a while, then we took over.

The husband of a 38-year-old woman phoned 999 when she slipped and dislocated her finger a few hundred yards above the bridge near the bottom of the Ghyll. We were a little surprised at their apparent inability to deal with this one themselves.

Three climbers were reported overdue. We looked for them, but they outflanked us and turned up safe at the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel.

This man tore his knee ligaments when he slipped. He was stretchered to Kirkstone Pass and then taken to hospital.

We were on our way home from the previous incident when we were notified of a second incident. The helicopter returning from the previous incident assisted again, making our lives a lot easier.

This man found himself at the top of this popular crag. He slipped and fell off, falling over 100 ft. He was seriously injured, sustaining head, arm, leg and spinal injuries. It really is amazing what the body is capable of surviving. He was airlifted to Furness General Hospital.