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.
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.
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 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 73-year-old woman sustained an ankle injury on the path between White Moss Common and Grasmere. She was evacuated to White Moss to an ambulance.
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 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 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 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.
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.
Girl (15), from Reading, suffered a severe asthma attack in Upper Dungeon Ghyll, Langdale. She was treated at the scene by the team doctor and then carried toy the team down the fell, where she was allowed to go back to Y.M.C.A. Lakeside.
Footnote: This school party seemed to be well organised, and it was just unfortunate that this girl had an attack of asthma on the fell. Weather conditions: Intermittent rain, low mist and darkness.
Girl (16), of Reading, collapsed from exposure near the summit of Fairfield. She was reported to be in a serious condition. While the team made their way up to the scene, an R.A.F. helicopter from Acklington was asked to assist. The helicopter found the girl and ferried her down to Ambleside where the team doctor treated her and kept her under observation.
A search was made of the Greenhead Ghyll area, Grasmere, on information received that a young girl had fallen into a ghyll. After four hours, the search was called off and nothing was found.
Footnote: This turned out to be a hoax and yet again, valuable team funds were wasted.
Weather conditions: Rain and gale force winds.
Girl (14), of Leeds, was reported missing after she had wandered off in the Castle Howe area. The girl's parents had gone to another peak not far away but when they came back, she had gone. The team searched Grasmere and then towards the Castle Howe area. The girl was found on the Ambleside-Langdale road at 4.45 p.m. and the team was recalled at 5.00 p.m.
Footnote: This girl was a reluctant walker although her parents were keen
walkers.
Weather conditions: Clear sunshine, but rather cold.
Boy (16) of Coventry, suffered exhaustion and mild exposure during a Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme expedition at Castle Howe, Blea Crag, Langdale. The team carried him down the fell on a stretcher and he was treated by the team doctor before being allowed home.
Footnote: These four had no previous fell experience. The weather was rainy, and although their footwear was good, there was no sign of water-proofs. Their equipment was far too heavy, and most of their food was in medium or large tins. They gave the impression that they did not think much to "this fell walking lark".
Male (58), of Blackpool, collapsed at Stickle Tarn, Langdale while walking with friends. The team carried him down the fell on a stretcher and he was taken to the County Hospital, Kendal.
Footnote: This man was very well equipped and experienced.
Weather conditions: Dry and very warm.
Female (44), of Worcester Park, Surrey, slipped on wet grass whilst walk¬ing on a footpath at High Grove, Kirkstone, Ambleside, and she received a broken ankle and leg injuries. The team conveyed her down the fell on a stretcher and then she was taken to the County Hospital, Kendal. Footnote: The woman had wandered down the fell path in ordinary clothing and smooth soled shoes. She claimed to be an experienced fell walker, and yet she had left her suitable clothing and footwear in her parked car. Weather conditions: Dull, with low mist and ground conditions were very wet.
Female (41), of Chadwell Heath sustained head and neck injuries whilst walking at the foot of Raven Crag, Langdale, She was struck on the head by a rock dislodged by her son. The team carried her down the fell on a stretcher and she was taken to the County Hospital. Kendal. Footnote: This woman had proper equipment and footwear, but failed to realise that you cannot be too careful when people are walking above you. Weather conditions: Dull, intermittent rain, the rocks and ground were very wet.
