Scafell Pike: Three rescue teams aid walker who plunged 65ft

Three rescue teams came to the aid of a walker who had plunged 20m (65ft) down England’s highest mountain.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue was called out to Mickledore – a ridge between Scafell Pike and Scafell in the Lake District – on Sunday to the man who could not walk after his fall from Scafell Pike.

However, high winds made the rescue difficult, and two other teams had to be called in to help.

It took 17 rescuers almost seven hours to get the man to safety.

The Great North Air Ambulance was able to land at nearby Pulpit Rock, but the teams – made up also from the Duddon and Furness and Bowland Pennine mountain rescues – still had an uphill climb to carry the walker to the helicopter on a stretcher, rescuers said.

“We wish the walker a swift recovery, and massive thanks to all other MR teams that helped.”

Due to slightly low numbers, assistance was requested from Duddon and Furness MRT. Members from Bowland and Pennine MRT also happened to be on the hill and nearby, so kindly offered their assistance.

Once team members were on scene, a full medical assessment was made, and it was decided that helicopter assistance was required due to the mechanism of injury (a tumble fall of 20m), and a long and difficult stretcher carry out to a road head. Helimed 58 duly responded and was able to land on flat ground near Pulpit Rock.

Gusty winds thwarted attempts to get closer. As such, an energy-sapping uphill carry was still required, with helicopter medics in attendance, after which the walker was flown to the hospital for further assessment and treatment.  Some fantastic multi-team working once again.

Helimed 58

Location of the rescue – OS Maps