Fellwalking

Incident Report #19 1989

Over 250 personnel from various M.R.T.s and an R.A.F. helicopter searched for a school group comprising 13 girls (aged 16-17) and 3 adults, after one of the girls was reported to have collapsed from exposure in the Calf Cove area. They were found at 8.00 p.m. near Styhead tarn. One girl was taken to hospital with exposure, the others were fit enough to walk down. The weather conditions were atrocious, blizzards, bitterly cold, strong winds, thick mist. The group was lucky, had they remained in the Calf Cove area the outcome could have been much more serious.
Incident Type

Incident Report #10 1989

The Team assisted by Kendal M.R.T. and a helicopter from R.A.F. Boulmer went to recover a 15 year old youth who had fallen 10 feet onto a ledge sustaining an ankle injury. It transpired that he was one of two brothers who decided to climb Jack's Rake, half-way up the Rake the elder brother bet £1.00 for the other brother to climb the rock face above the Rake! The challenge was duly taken up and he became 'cragfast' and then fell off onto a ledge. He was very, very lucky not to fall the remaining 300 feet with the inevitable consequences. Experience nil and clothing abysmal.
Incident Type

Incident Report #37 1975

A 41 year old woman from Oldham became benighted at Rossett Ghyll after setting out from Borrowdale at 3 p.m. to walk to Langdale. The team with two dogs searched from Stake Pass to Angle Tarn and Rossett Ghyll and the woman was found at 3.30 a.m. the next morning, 29th December, half way up Rossett Ghyll. She was unharmed. Footnote: This woman started from Borrowdale alone to do a four hour walk at 3 p.m. — with one hour of daylight left, and her fell walking experience should have told her not to attempt such a foolish thing.

Incident Type

Incident Report #36 1975

A 14 year old schoolboy from Wigan slipped and fell on wet grass, at Black Crag, Great Langdale. He sustained a severely lacerated leg and mild exposure, and the team carried him down the fell on a stretcher and then he was taken to the doctor's surgery for treatment. Footnote: If a weather forecast had been sought before this party set off, they might never have been at 1500 feet where this accident happened. Only low level walks should have been attempted on this day — a matter of simple common sense. The weather was cold and very wet with low mist.

Incident Type

Incident Report #33 1975

A 46 year old man from Keighley collapsed and died on Thunacar Knott, Langdale. A helicopter from R.A.F. Acklington was called but not required. The body was carried down the fell by the team. Footnote: The helicopter was called out to assist on information received before the team set off up the hill. Two rescues were taking place at the same time (no.32). The weather was dull, dry but cold on the tops.
Incident Type

Incident Report #31 1975

A 51 year old man from Redditch collapsed with a heart attack at Stickle Tarn, Langdale, his condition was very serious and both team doctors decided that a helicopter would be the best form of evacuation to hospital. Footnote: Once again R.A.F. Acklington made the rescue journey easy in a situation where a stretcher carry could have been too long and exhausting for the sick man. The weather was fairly good, with intermittent low mist, and dull at times.
Incident Type

Incident Report #30 1975

A 53 year old woman from Solihull slipped on a footpath in Mill Ghyll, Langdale, and fractured her left ankle. She was carried down the fell on a stretcher and taken to hospital in Kendal. Footnote: Her footwear (flat soft soled shoes) could have been the cause of her slipping. She had no intention of walking on the felts. The weather was fine, warm and dry.
Incident Type

Incident Report #28 1975

An apprentice soldier aged 17 years from Poole slipped and fell 60 feet on Gimmer Crag, Langdale whilst descending after a rock climb, he sustained multiple injuries to head and spine. The team doctor called for an R.A.F. helicopter from Acklington to fly the injured boy to hospital from the crag. Footnote: Once again the accident happened after the completion of a climb. The weather was warm, dry, clear and sunny.
Incident Type