The Team were called out to search for 2 adults aged 48 and 28 years and 9 Cadets average age 17 years from Wealdston and Harrow area. They were all safe and well (just) at 2-30 a.m. on 29th October. They had no idea where they were and navigation was very poor as was their equipment.
A search was called for two youths from Ashstead and High Field in Surrey. They were found safe and well at 6-20 a.m. on 24th October. Poor navigation had resulted in them "getting lost" so they had decided to go to ground for the night.
Weather Conditions: Cold and Wet Underfoot.
The Team went to the assistance of a 50 year old woman from Westhoughton, Bolton who had slipped on the wet fellside and fractured her leg.
Footnote: With Rescue 29 just finished this was the start of a very busy day. Weather Conditions: Cold, Wet, Rain at times, Wet Underfoot.
The Team were called out to search for a lady who had separated from her husband on a walk from Thirlspot to Wythbum. The Team did not find her but she turned up safely in Grasmere.
Footnote: A case of searching for someone before they were lost. Weather Conditions: Rain, Low Mist, Cool and Wet Underfoot.
A search was launched for two girls aged 9 and 8 years and a boy aged 11 years from Wane, Herts., after they had been allowed to run off and away from the adults in the party. They were found safe and well at 7-45 p.m. near Wrynose Bridge.
Footnote: These children had shorts and Wellingtons. Very little protection against the weather that prevailed at the time.
Weather Conditions: Low Mist, Showers, Very Wet Underfoot.
The Team went to the assistance of a 13 year old boy from Gerrards Cross, Bucks., who was suffering from exhaustion. The rest of the group carried this boy "piggy back" to half way down Rossett Ghyll.
Footnote: The journey attempted with this young boy was far too much — his condition proved it.
Weather Conditions: Cold, Rain, Low Mist, Wet Ground.
The Team were called to the assistance of a 19 year old girl from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex when a dry stone wall she was climbing collapsed on top of her. She sus¬tained leg injuries and cuts.
Footnote: This young lady should have found a better place to cross, in fact there was an easier place further on. Weather Conditions: Cold, Rain, Dull, Wet Underfoot.
The Team went to bring off the fell a 53 year old man from Connetticut, U.S.A. who had suffered a Heart Attack. The man could have taken the wrong pills at the wrong time and this misuse of Drugs could bring on anxiety and stress. Footnote: Not the best of patients to bring off the fell. I thought women could talk!! After this rescue a large hammer has been added to our medical equipment.
Weather Conditions: Warm, Sunny, Dry.
The Team were called to assist two fourteen year old boys from Halifax and Grange-over-Sands after one had tumbled and knocked the other coming down the Screes. They sustained head wounds, arm and leg injuries. Weather Conditions: Cold, Rain, Dull, Wet Rocks and Ground.
The Team went to the assistance of a 77 year old man from Buxton who had suffered a Heart Attack.
Footnote: This man was a very experienced walker. Weather Conditions: Warm, Sunny.
A 16 year old bot collapsed at Angle Tarn and the coverd more miles than all the team out together. He was found at Rosthwaite in Borrowdale.
The team went to assist an 18 year old youth from Stockton, Cleveland after he decided to descend some very slippery rocks instead of using the path. He fells 250ft sustaining severe head, spine, leg and chest injuries.
Footnote: This young man was advised not to go on these rocks by by members of his party. RAF Boulmer was called in to fly him to hospital in Whitehaven.
Weather conditions: Low mist, Cold wind, Rain, Very Wet on Rocks
The Team were called to assist a 56 year old man and a 54 year old woman from Ambleside who were overcome by heat?? There were other causes than 'heat' both were under Doctor's care.
Footnote: This rescue could be 'classed' as a medical problem. The lady said that the low flying Military Aircraft had frightened her which caused her to fall. On reflection this could be a possibility. The noise and the element of surprise can give one a shock. I am afraid we have not heard the last of this 'new c&use' of accidents.
Weather Conditions: Very Hot, Sunshine, Very Dry.
The Team went to the assistance of a 15 year old boy from Stevenage who had sustained head injuries. The informant gave Grid References at Sheep Crag — "i\ mi'les from the accident scene and the team had to search for a1 long time.
Footnote: This was a badly organised school party. Weather Conditions: Cool Dull day.
The Team were called out to bring a 47 year old lady from Whalley, West Midlands, down the fell as she had fractured her right ankle.
Footnote: This lady had smooth soled shoes on ground which was very wet. Weather Conditions: Very Wet, Boggy, Dark, Cool — Fine.
The Team assisted an 18 year old youth from Grimsby down to the Old Dungecn Ghyll Hotel as he had an injured ankle. The accident happened at AH^n Crags. His friends had gone to Styhead for a stretcher.
Footnote: No explanation was given why they went for a stretcher, which was never used and why they made the long journey to Langdale when there was an easier escape route off the fell. Weather Conditions: Cool, Fine, Dry, Wet Underfoot.
The Team recovered the body of a 74 year old man from Morecambe. It is not known if this man slipped and sustained head injuries or whether he had a medical condition which proved fatal.
Weather Conditions: Fine, Cool, Wet Underfoot.
The Team searched a long time for a 17 year old youth from Tewkesbury who sustained a sprained ankle as the informant was 1 mile out with his Grid Reference.
Footnote: Grid References given by informants are usually wrong and can be anything up to 3 miles out.
Weather Conditions: Cold and Low Mist, Drizzle, Snow Showers, very Wet on Fells.
The Team went to the assistance of a 21 year old man from St. Helens who sus¬tained spinal, leg and head injuries. This man had training shoes on and poor clothing. He had no idea of fell walking.
Footnote: He had fallen about 80ft — he was rather lucky because he could have fallen 600ft. on steep fellside. Once again poor footwear was the cause.
Weather Conditions: Warm and Clear, Wet Rock and Grass.
The Team were called to the assistance of a 69 year old woman from Ormskirk who had fractured her lower leg. The informant took a long time to find his way down to raise the alarm — about a 1$ hour delay.
Footnote: This lady had smooth fell boots on, which could have been the cause of
her slipping.
Weather Conditions: Sunny and Warm, Mud on path, Wet grass.
At the request of Kendal Team our Team searched the Kirkstone and Troutbeck area for 9 Cadets (Soldiers) who were found safe and well after a long search.
Footnote: These Cadets were found in the Nan Bield area by the Kendal Team and
one of our Dog Handlers.
Weather Conditions: Low Mist, Sleet, Snow, Ice under old Snow.
The body of a 29 year old man from Wimbledon who was walking solo was found by three walkers. The Team recovered the body which was buried in snow. Footnote: No identity on this man, nothing was found at the scene. He had very poor equipment for conditions when found — jeans, poor anorak and fell boots only. Weather Conditions: Severe Blizzards, Deep Snow and Ice Cold.
The Team went to assist a man from Frodsham, Cheshire who had fractured his lower leg. This man was walking in Wellingtons and he had Rally type clothing on. Footnote: Team Members had to use Crampons to rescue this man who had no idea of the dangers that prevailed. This was the quickest rescue of the year — the Team was training 200 yards from him.
Weather Conditions: Clear and Cold, Ice on all Footpaths.
This incident involved 2 Women, 1 Boy and a Dog (Afghan) from Kendal. Injuries sustained were exhaustion due to carrying the Dog. Team had to carry Dog on stretcher for 2 miles. Dog could not walk — snow "balling-up" on legs.
Footnote: This party set off far too late to complete their journey in daylight. To take this type of Dog for a walk in deep snow was not wise.
Weather Conditions: Dark, Cold, Deep Snow and Ice. ?
A 22 year old man from Liverpool collapsed with exposure/exhaustion while on a college expedition. His friends had escorted him most of the way down before the Team arrived. He then collapsed again at Stool End Farm, Langdale. The Team used the REVIVA on this man and carried him by Team transport to Ambleside, then by Ambulance to a Kendal hospital.
Weather conditions: COLD, CLEAR, SNOW AND ICE ON THE TOPS, SNOW AND ICE UNDERFOOT.
A 21 year old man from Durham slipped and fell 80 ft while descending from after rock climb. He sustained two fractured femurs, head and spinal injuries. The Team carried him on stretcher then by ambulance to a Lancaster hospital.
Footnote: Most climbing accidents seem to happen when climbers are descending after completion of a route.
Weather conditions: COLD, RAINING, DULL, VERY WET ROCK
Nine students from Leeds were reported missing by friends when they failed to report at Langdale. The Team and SARDA made a search of the fells - at 12 midnight the students were found by the Team at Angle Tarn suffering from exposure. The Team escorted all nine to safety. They were seen by a Doctor and then taken to Windermere for baths and bed.
Footnote: This party had little equipment and with the weather as it had been all day - appalling - they should never have started out - once again bad judgement.
Weather conditions: HEAVY RAIN, LOW MIST, COLD, VERY WET UNDERFOOT
Four teenage schoolgirls and one female school teacher from Radcliffe, Manchester were reported lost by other members of the school party. The team searched from the Grasmere and Langdale sides of Stickle Tarn. The Team found this group at 8.30pm near Tarn Crag, Langdale they were escorted from the fellside.
A 71 year old female from High Wycombe slipped on the wet fellside and broke her left leg. She was carried on a stretcher, then by Team's Land Rover / ambulance to a Doctor in Ambleside. Footnote:This lady had smooth sol shoes which could have contributed to her fall. Weather conditions: DRY, CLEAR, WARM, WET UNDERFOOT
Four teenage ATC cadets from Chester le Street, Co. Durham required assistance when they became completely lost , and one was reported to be in a collapsed condition. A search was mounted by three MR teams and SARDA and they were found at 1.30am next morning. Three were escorted down - one had to be carried ona a stretcher. All were seen by the Team Doctor and allowed togo home after treatment.
Footnote: The first grid reference for the location of casualties was about 2 miles out.
Weather conditions: CLEAR, DARK, DRY, WARM, WET UNDERFOOT.
