Gt Langdale

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

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 #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 #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 #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