Incident Reports 2009

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Incident Report # 2009

A local man slipped on ice which caused a nasty ankle injury. An ambulance was called but was delayed as it was coming from Coniston. Passing team members fetched medical equipment from our base. The casualty's pain was managed and his leg was splinted before handing over to the ambulance service.

Man Hours
3
Incident Type
Location
OS Grid Reference
NY377038

Incident Report #128 2009

A woman sustained a fractured ankle in a sledging accident. She was treated by team members and evacuated by stretcher. She was then transported to Ambleside, from where she was transported to hospital by RAF helicopter, along with the previous casualty. The road conditions did not permit the ambulance to transport either casualty.

Man Hours
16
Incident Type

Incident Report #122 2009

While the previous rescue was in full flow we were alerted to another incident involving a 16-year-old girl from a party of 13 who had fallen around 100metres down the fellside while the party were descending from Yoke. She suffered head, neck, chest and leg injuries. Other team members, not already involved with the previous rescue were dispatched, and along with a request to Kendal MRT and the helicopter to assist.

Man Hours
12, plus Kendal MRT
Incident Type

Incident Report #121 2009

A 59-year-old man suffered a suspected heart problem, with chest pains and nausea reported. The team was dispatched immediately, along with a request for a helicopter to attend. There was a little confusion as to the location, with it given as Hanging Knotts, but the grid reference given put it on the north summit of Bowfell. The latter was correct. The helicopter arrived on scene first, and airlifted the man to hospital, while team members located the rest of the party, and walked back down with them.

Man Hours
56
Incident Type
Location
OS Grid Reference
NY244071

Incident Report #119 2009

The team continued to provide support to Police and Ambulance, but with water levels receding and work to clear road access continuing, we were able to reduce our commitment, the final job being to transport a District Nurse to a home visit in Chapel Stile at 9am.

Access continues to be difficult to some areas, with floodwater still present and extensive damage to many road surfaces and edges. The cleanup will take some considerable time.

Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY377038

Incident Report #117 2009

It rained, like it has never rained before. Many people woke up to extensive flooding. Homes and businesses were flooded, cars washed away, boats sank and many people stranded. The local ambulance station was completely flooded. Ambulance, Police and Fire Service all spent the day operating from our base,

Man Hours
120 (approx)
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY377038

Incident Report #116 2009

A pair of walkers reported themselves in difficulty as mist descended. They thought they were between Harrison Stickle and Pike O'Stickle. With darkness approaching it was decided that a quick daylight search was the order of the day. The were located (in the dark) between Thunacar Knott and High Raise (!) and escorted to the valley floor.

Man Hours
36
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY282075

Incident Report #115 2009

During the preliminary checks on the previous incident, a police officer spotted some lights on Blake Rigg which appeared to be people struggling to find a way over difficult terrain. Additional team members were sent to investigate, but it became clear that there was probably nothing wrong when all the lights suddenly moved uphill en-mass. Probably trainees on a night navigation exercise.

Man Hours
24
Incident Type
Location
OS Grid Reference
NY286039

Incident Report #114 2009

A man was reported as overdue from his walk on Crinkle Crags by his wife. Enquires were made and while a small team were making some preliminary checks of the road and parking places, a phone call was received from the man saying he was OK, but it was unclear due to poor reception where he was. A second call was later received from Brotherilkeld, Eskdale, to say he was safe and well. The search was called off and he was returned to his car.

Man Hours
9
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY249053

Incident Report #107 2009

While the previous rescue was ongoing we were made aware of a group of 9 with one torch and 8 glow-sticks(!) had gone to ground on steep ground in the vicinity of Esk Hause. A small group was detached from rescue 106 to do a check at Esk Hause and Esk Pike. They weren't found on this preliminary search so a larger search was organised involving Keswick MRT and SARDA, and they still weren't located. Over the course of the night more information was gathered and they were eventually located at Ore Gap, having descended from the Bowfell area at 11am.

Man Hours
125
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY241072

Incident Report #106 2009

A female participant from a large walking party slipped and sustained a lower leg fracture on the path from Esk Hause above Angle Tarn. She was located and treated, then stretchered off. The descent of Rossett Ghyll with a stretcher is a difficult and strenuous one, and the drive out of Mickleden is very rough. Unfortunately our casualty didn't take the rough ride in very good grace and was rude and grumpy. We'll put that down to the circumstances and won't hold it against her. Her companions were very nice.

Man Hours
108
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY243079

Incident Report #103 2009

A 76-year-old solo walker became cragfast when he strayed from the path while climbing Harrison Stickle. His detour took him onto an area of vertical rock and dripping gullies. After a bit of hunting around he was located, and with some considerable technical difficulty, evacuated to safe ground, from where he was accompanied to the valley floor. He was given a lift back to his accommodation, the delay having caused him to miss the last bus! We were also complicit in a lie, to stop this gentleman being grounded by his Granddaughter. If anyone asks, we've never met!

Man Hours
60
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY282074

Incident Report #102 2009

Having dealt with the previous debacle we were called upon again with a report of a woman and 11-year-old boy overdue from a walk from Crinkle Crags. They were located during initial checks of the valley bottom, having made a navigational error, and coming down in the wrong place. They had been delayed by this, but were located en-route back to Ambleside.

Man Hours
4
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY248048

Incident Report #101 2009

In what must rate as one of the most ridiculous situations we have found ourselves on for quite some time, we found ourselves hunting down various members of a group who were incapable of organising themselves and taking responsibility for their actions. Initially a group of four were delayed when one of them had a minor fall, subsequently causing darkness to become a problem. One of them reported themselves on 'the path from the tarn to Chapel Stile'.

Man Hours
8
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY288075

Incident Report #100 2009

A party of 10 split at Great Knott, with the faster 5 continuing part of their intended route Crinkle Crags and coming down The Band. The slower group were reported overdue at 18:30, after it became obvious that they hadn't returned to their parked car. The group was of mixed age, youngest 11-years old and the oldest 69-years-old. A search was organised, with assistance from Wasdale MRT, Duddon & Furness MRT and SARDA. During the planning stage, another phone call was received via the police, reporting two people sheltering in a tent in Lingcove Beck.

Man Hours
45 plus Wasdale MRT, Duddon & Furness MRT and SARDA
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY238050

Incident Report #99 2009

A party of three males, including a 13-year-old boy became benighted when they ran out of daylight, having earlier made a navigational error that had taken them into Upper Esk area. They were clearly not going to get any further in darkness without torches so we went and got them. We were accompanied by team Search Dogs Kitt and Beinn, with Kitt arriving at our casualties first, thereby claiming her first 'locate'. The group were escorted to the valley floor and reunited with their car.

Man Hours
38.5
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY248060

Incident Report # 2009

Old mobile 3 was being demonstrated to its' new owner (Rossendale & Pendle MRT) when it was flagged down on the street with a request to assist a woman who had collapsed on the roadside. Help was given for a brief time before a regular ambulance arrived.
Man Hours
1
Incident Type
Location
OS Grid Reference
NY379031

Incident Report # 2009

A couple phoned for help after losing their way on Long Top. They were given directions but were unable to contact us further to confirm if they had found their way down. A check was made for their car, to see if they'd left the valley. We were unable to find it, so came to the vague conclusion that they had made their way off, and for some reason were unable to contact us. We were contacted the following morning to say that they'd camped in the valley, and hadn't received the message until they left.

Man Hours
3
Incident Type

Incident Report #93 2009

A male with as suspected dislocated shoulder was reported on Pavey Arc. The air ambulance was en-route and we were requested to attend in case they couldn't access the casualty. As it transpired, they were able to complete the evacuation, so we joined the audience at the Langdale Folk Festival, which was raising money for the Fix the Fells project, and SARDA Lakes.

Man Hours
14
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY283082

Incident Report #86 2009

Cumbria Police passed on details of a very truncated request for mountain rescue. Very little additional information was forthcoming. Tracking of the phone call suggested it originated in the Skelwith Bridge area, with a large margin for error. A rapid search of the footpaths and river bank in the area was organised, with nothing found. While this was going on we became aware that Coniston MRT had received a similarly vague call from another mobile number. They were also carrying out a search to try and locate their casualty, who had been reported ashaving a leg injury.

Man Hours
91, plus Coniston MRT
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY275006

Incident Report #85 2009

Called direct from the hill by another MRT member who had come across a male with a suspected leg fracture. Team mobilised only to discover that someone else had phoned via the 'normal' means and Keswick MRT had also been mobilised. The injured man lay on the boundary between the two teams, so we left them to it. Subsequently the injured man was recovered by air ambulance.

Man Hours
10
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY290105

Incident Report #78 2009

A solo male phoned for help after becoming cragfast, after a passing shower rendered the rock he was climbing very slippery. The team were en-route when we were informed that he had been assisted off the crag by two passing scramblers. \"Unsuitable\"" footwear (his words) will have played a significant part in this incident. "

Man Hours
11
OS Grid Reference
NY285078

Incident Report #73 2009

While we were dealing with incident 72 this happened. Another woman sustained a lower leg injury at Angle Tarn. This incident was dealt with initially by team members diverted from incident 72, backed up by team members from Kendal MRT. A long, hot, sweaty day was had by all, ended with a healthy crop of midge bites. All in a days work.

Man Hours
50, plus Kendal MRT
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY246077

Incident Report #72 2009

A woman sustained a lower leg injury when she slipped at the top of Dungeon Ghyll. While our initial response was under way we were made aware of incident 73. Our resources were split and we continued with this rescue, splinting the injury and stretchering her down, assisted by Kendal MRT.

Man Hours
36, plus Kendal MRT
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY278074

Incident Report #70 2009

A couple phoned for help when one of them sustained a knee injury and the became lost while trying to return from Scafell to Langdale. Only minimum information was received before contact was lost. After some discussion it was decided that a search should be organised. Along with Wasdale MRT and SARDA a search was planned. Further contact with the two meant that we could determine their position more accurately, and it was decided that they were descending to Wasdale via Styhead Tarn, at which point we went home and left Wasdale MRT to tidy up loose ends.

Man Hours
11
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY201093

Incident Report # 2009

A family group became separated, with one party becoming lost. Their phone call came to us via the Isle of Man, enjoying a brief holiday en-route. Contact was made with the group and it was established that they had reunited and were now confident that they could find their way down. The Bad Step diversion strikes again!?

Man Hours
1
Incident Type

Incident Report #65 2009

The remainder of the group was being assisted down, when a second member of the group succumbed to a similar problem. She rapidly became too weak to continue and a stretcher and additional team members were requested to evacuate her to the valley. About this time we enjoyed a brief but violent thunder storm; something that always enlivens any rescue.

Man Hours
36
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY290080

Incident Report #59 2009

A 58-year-old man was reported as having breathing difficulties, and with tingling sensation in one arm. The team was dispatched, and assistance form the Air Ambulance was requested. With team members on the hill, it eventually became obvious that, despite communication difficulties, the man had been picked up by the helicopter and evacuated to the pub! It took most of us considerably longer to get back to a decent supply of fluids! It's probable that the man's condition wasn't as serious as first reported.

Man Hours
51
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY265087

Incident Report # 2009

Walkers reported a sheep stuck in a bog on Wansfell. Two team members, walking in the area, investigated and found a sheep stuck in a bog. Equipment was brought up to allow people to get on to the bog surface without sinking, and the sheep was hauled out. It failed to express any noticeable gratitude, and ran of followed by its hungry lamb.

Man Hours
8
Incident Type

Incident Report #57 2009

A 76-year-old man was reported overdue from a walk in the Grasmere area. A search was organised, and team members and search dog handlers were being deployed when we were informed that he had managed to make his way into Langdale via a steep, unidentified gulley, and was now safe at the roadside. The man was reported to have a medical condition that gave us cause for concern, and the weather had been hot and dry all day. Eight search dogs were involved.

Man Hours
22
Incident Type
Location
OS Grid Reference
NY304067

Incident Report #47 2009

A 69-year-old male member of an American walking party sustained a sprained ankle. The party had made a good attempt to get themselves off, but eventually the pain became too much. He was treated by team members and evacuated to the valley for onward transport to hospital. There was some initial confusion, since the informant gave a misleading location.

Man Hours
22
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY321708

Incident Report # 2009

More of the same. A party of two became disorientated on Crinkle Crags, having descended part-way down the west side, and then struggling to find the summit ridge path. Given instructions and advise to help locate Three Tarns. They eventually met up with another group, who were a little more certain where they were, and more importantly, knew the way off!

Man Hours
2.5
Incident Type

Incident Report # 2009

A group of 5 became split in poor weather when they separated in to two parts; one to go over the Bad Step and the other to go round. They failed to re-unite on Long Top. One group phoned the police for assistance. They were given directions and instructions to head for Three Tarns, were they managed to meet the rest of their party. Possession of a GPS was of limited use in these circumstances, because the party were only able to use it to tell us where they were, and not able to use it to get to where they wanted to be. The same applied to the map and compass they were carrying.

Man Hours
2
Incident Type

Incident Report #44 2009

A man sustained a lower leg injury when he slipped while descending. He was treated and evacuated from the hill. While assembling at the rendezvous point for this rescue a passerby reported another man, making his way slowly from Far Easedale, with a head injury. Kitt's first rescue as a qualified Search Dog. No one had the heart to tell her that we knew where he was!

Man Hours
36
Incident Type
Location
OS Grid Reference
NY327087

Incident Report #41 2009

A woman was reported as immobilised by an ankle injury. Unfortunately, their location was uncertain. A bit of detective work located them, and the injury was treated. Before we could evacuate the casualty, we were made aware of incident 42. The woman was evacuated by the team with help from team members arriving a little later, and a handful of team members who went across to help having concluded rescue 42.

Man Hours
56
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY313075

Incident Report #40 2009

Having sustained the injury, our team member was making a painful and valiant effort to get down with minimal assistance, but as a precaution a stretcher was requested to be brought up to meet the party. Luckily, the helicopter that had assisted earlier was able to return and airlift our team member back to Ambleside with dented pride and a swollen ankle. Injured team member assisted to RN rescue helicopter

Man Hours
24
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY302099

Incident Report #39 2009

A man walking the Coast to Coast with a small group suffered a lower leg injury. Some initial confusion over his location was cleared up, and we treated his injury. He was then evacuated by Royal Navy helicopter to West Cumberland Infirmary. We then set off with his walking partner to return to the valley. Unfortunately on the descent one of our team members sustained an ankle injury.

Man Hours
42
Incident Type
OS Grid Reference
NY292104

Incident Report # 2009

A couple reported themselves having difficulty finding their way of what they thought to be Great Rigg. They were given some directions and advice that should have led them in to the Rydal valley. We then lost touch with them, but had a reliable sighting of them in the Brotherswater Inn(!) later that evening. We eventually established that they had found their way off, and were safe.

Man Hours
1
Incident Type

Incident Report #35 2009

A 57-year-old male fell around 20 metres from Jack's Rake, sustaining injuries to his head, face, arm and leg. He was initially cared for by a paramedic who witnessed the fall, then treated by team members, and evacuated to the valley for onward transport to hospital. Waiting for more help to carry the stretcher

Man Hours
52
OS Grid Reference
NY286080

Incident Report #34 2009

Flashing lights were reported from the Nab Scar area. While trying to spot the lights and identify if there was a problem, team members came across a group who admitted to having just come of the hill, having had a late start and a long day, and who had come that way with one torch between them. No other lights were spotted, so we went home.

Man Hours
4
Incident Type
Location
OS Grid Reference
NY356071

Incident Report #29 2009

A male was reported missing and with a possibility of him self-harming, there was cause for concern for his safety. A complicated and protracted search ensued, where it was possible that the man was evasive, avoiding action. After much discussion and negotiation he was persuaded to come off the hill and into the care of the police. We were assisted by local SARDA dogs, and a tracking dog and handler from Bowland Pennine MRT.

Man Hours
135
Incident Type

Incident Report #28 2009

That's 1st March, not April. A swan was reported in difficulty at Skelwith Force. The police had tried to contact the RSPCA in Preston, but were unable to get them, so contacted us. A small group went to investigate, retrieving it without too much difficulty, and liberating it to do whatever it is that swans do to fill their time. No arms were broken in the rescuing of this swan.

Man Hours
8
Incident Type

Incident Report #27 2009

A family group of three went up to the Langdale Pikes area. They became lost after several attempts to find a way off. Although they had a map and compass and GPS, they were unable to use any. We were able to establish their altitude from the GPS, but it wasn't much use for anything else, since it wasn't set on British Grid. They were too cold and the process of setting the GPS up in any useful way was looking unlikely, so eventually located by the combined method getting them to take bearings to our vehicle lights in the valley bottom, and wonder-dog, Beinn.

Man Hours
12
Incident Type

Incident Report #20 2009

Two men became stuck on steep, frozen ground and were unable to up or down. They were following a route in a book, had no map, compass, torch, crampons or ice axe. There was inevitability about events. We were assisted by SARDA and Rossendale and Pendle MRT, who were in the area, and were co-opted from the pub. 

Man Hours
127.5, plus SARDA and Rossendale & Pendle MRT
Incident Type

Incident Report #19 2009

Three men became stuck on steep, frozen ground and were unable to continue down. They were located by team members, roped together and escorted down via a series of steps cut by team members. Regrettably, the message that we have been trying to get out for several days seems to have fallen on deaf ears. They were not equipped for the conditions and seemed surprised by the fact that the snow had re-frozen once the sun was off it.

Man Hours
76.5
Incident Type

Incident Report #18 2009

A man slipped and fell approximately 100 metres from the Climber Traverse on Bowfell. He sustained serious head injuries. His fall was witnessed by another man close by, who raised the alarm, and then went to assist. The team were mobilised to help, and a helicopter was requested to attend. Team members were airlifted in to the site and provided emergency care, along with the winchman. The man was then airlifted to West Cumberland Hospital. He received head, chest and hand injuries. He was well equipped.

Man Hours
68
Incident Type
Location

Incident Report #17 2009

A male walker was reported overdue by his wife. We were given a rough outline of his plan, and a search was organised. We were assisted at this stage by a helicopter from RAF Boulmer, and also SARDA and Kendal MRT. The search went on until 4am without success. We reconvened at 8am, this time with help from Keswick, Wasdale, Duddon and Furness, SARDA and Bowland Pennine MRT's and a helicopter from RAF Boulmer. Sadly, a man's body was located by helicopter in the late morning. He was recovered to West Cumberland Hospital, where he was confirmed as having died.

Man Hours
84.5 plus Kendal, Wasdale, Keswick, Duddon and Furness, Bowland Pennine MRT's and SARDA.
Incident Type

Incident Report #16 2009

A male climber sustained a suspected lower leg fracture. In a determined attempt to get down, his climbing partner assisted him a significant distance, before the pain became too much. The team found him at the base of Rossett Ghyll and stretchered him from there. His perseverance is to be applauded. They were experienced and well equipped.

Man Hours
15
Incident Type
Location

Incident Report #15 2009

A number of people ended up together in a group after getting into difficulties in the frozen conditions. While trying to find a way off they got onto steep ground. At this point one of them slipped and fell several hundred metres, sustaining fatal injuries. He was evacuated from the fell by RAF helicopter. The rest of the group were evacuated over very difficult ground to safety.

Man Hours
67.5
Incident Type

Incident Report #14 2009

A man slipped and fell approximately 100 metres from the Climber Traverse on Bowfell. He sustained serious multiple injuries. Two members of Keswick Mountain Rescue Team were fairly nearby, so were directed to the scene to assist while the team set off from the valley bottom. A helicopter was requested and arrived from RAF Boulmer. The man was stabilised and airlifted to West Cumberland Infirmary. His friend was assisted to the valley.

Man Hours
56, plus 2 Keswick MRT
Incident Type
Location

Incident Report #13 2009

A man slipped, falling around 10 metres,  and sustained a twisted knee and gashed hand. He struggled to get to a location where he could get a text message to his wife requesting help, and get some shelter from the weather. Initially he reported a suspected fracture, but he was able to make slow and painful progress down the hill. He was met by team members and assisted to the valley floor. We were assisted by Kendal MRT. Prolonged winter conditions experienced so far this year have been rare in recent years, however the message is the same as always. Be prepared.

Man Hours
45, plus 15 Kendal MRT
Incident Type

Incident Report #12 2009

A group of 4 became stuck in frozen conditions near the summit of Shelter Crags. One of them had slipped and was being prevented from falling further by a short length of rope. Her companions were unable to recover her. The group were located by search dog Beinn. She was recovered to safe ground, then escorted, along with the rest of the party, down The Band. Shortly after the start of this rescue, we were alerted to callout number 13 (see below). They were suffering fatigue, hypothermia and minor injuries.

Man Hours
120, plus 14 Kendal MRT
Incident Type

Incident Report #9 2009

Two men took the decision to descend from Link Hause to escape the frozen conditions they had found on the ridge. Unfortunately, while still high on the headwall, one of them slipped, avoiding his friends attempt to stop him. He fell several hundred metres, coming to rest above a small crag. He sustained fractured ribs, suspected fractured arm, and multiple other injuries. He was treated and stabilised by team members, then airlifted to Lancaster Royal Infirmary by RAF Leconfield. His friend was also airlifted, having suffered hand and facial injuries in his attempt to stop his friend.

Man Hours
60, plus 2 Duddon & Furness MRT
Incident Type

Incident Report #7 2009

In atrocious weather conditions, the team was called to assist a man who had become separated from his walking companion. Unfortunately he was discovered fatally injured at the bottom of the ghyll, seemingly having fallen some 70 metres from the path. We had requested the assistance of an RAF SAR helicopter, but they were unable to reach us in the prevailing weather conditions.

Man Hours
154, plus Kendal and RAF Leeming MRT
Incident Type