A couple reported themselves stuck on snowy ground that had forced them to go back up hill and make benightment a certainty.
Smooth soled plimsoles may have caused a 25 year old Sheffield man to fall 300 feet onto rough scree and sustain a severe head and other multiple injuries. Team doctor set up a drip system, and a helicopter from R.A.F. Boulmcr flew the unconscious victim to Newcastle General Hospital. Weather conditions: cold, very wet, snow showers.
The Patterdale team requested a medical group to assist when two incidents occured at the same time. 4 people had slipped on snow and ice and fell 200 and 350 feet. 2 were found dead and 2 had serious injuries. A helicopter from R.A.F. Boulmer flew the casualties to hospital. The Penrith team were also in attendance. Weather conditions: cold, paths iced-up, deep snow, snow showers.
The Patterdale team requested a medical group to assist when a father and son slipped on
snow and ice, falling 200 and 600 feet respectively, and sustaining serious injuries. A
helicopter from R.A.F. Boulmer flew the injured to Whitehaven Hospital. The Penrith team
were also in attendance.
Weather conditions: snow and ice underfoot, cold, snow showers at times.
A Park Ranger and team member found a 14 year old youth from London near Greatrigg Man, who had slipped on ice and suffered a fracture to his lower leg. The team stretchered the casualty to Grasmere, then by team's ambulance to Ambleside Health Centre.
Weather conditions: clear skies, cold, snow/icy footpaths.
During a heavy snowfall a 15 year old youth from Surrey slipped in deep fresh snow and sustained pelvic and leg injuries. Adult supervision and foul weather route rather suspect.
Whilst ascending to overnight camp in blizzard conditions, a 47 year old man from Folkestone tripped over his crampons and sustained a fractured patella and other leg injuries.
A 20 year old man from Fleetwood suffered a spiral fracture of his left leg, when he slipped on steep, snow covered fellside.
A massive search involving many Rescue Teams to find a male fellwalker with severe exposure on Great End. A five day search ended when the body was located under 4ft. of snow off Ill Crag by one of the dogs.
The Team were called to assist a 41 year old female from Ormskirk, who sustained a fractured lower leg when she slipped on snow/ice covered track. Located on the Tongue Ghyll path, Grasmere.
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.
While all this was going on, another woman, this time 47-years-old slipped and suffered the all to frequent broken ankle. There's nothing like ending on a high.
While attending to the previous woman, we were alerted to another woman who had done the same. This time she was a 48-year-old, and just a few hundred yards further down the track.
A 68-year-old woman slipped on ice and sustained a lower leg injury.
A middle-aged woman slipped on snow and sustained a lower right leg injury. It's a fair way up to Dove Crag, so the whole operation took 5 hours. Much of it was in the dark, and with extensive snow cover. We were ably assisted by Kendal MRT
A 55-year-old man slipped on a snow covered path and sustained an ankle injury. It was a fine afternoon to spend looking at the view, while waiting for us to arrive and do what we do. We did what we do and went home.
We were made aware of a scout group of consisting 8 children and 2 adults who had got into difficulty near the Priest Hole, Patterdale. This is not our area, but in contacting Patterdale MRT to make them aware, our assistance was requested. Eleven team members and Paddy (dog) went to assist. The group had been attempting to reach the Priest Hole to camp there, but had been overwhelmed by severe weather. We found a group of very cold children, some without footwear. The weather was variable, ranging from still moonlight to force 8 winds and driving snow, but generally deteriorating.
A man slipped on hard packed snow whilst crossing the climbers traverse. He fell approximately 400ft, and sadly, died of his injuries. A helicopter assisted with the evacuation of his body to Ambleside.
A man from Kendal allowed his dog, Zeus, to fall in to the top of Kilnshaw Chimney. It couldn't get back out because the ice build-up. He then went into the gully and couldn't get back out either. Fortunately someone passing, carrying a rope and crampons, lowered himself in to the gully and stabilised both, preventing a serious deterioration in the circumstances. We arrived and extracted Zeus and his owner, the other man having the wherewithal to sort himself out.
A father and son became separated in a snow storm and started to shout to each other, at the same time as the local hunt passed through the area. The combined shouts were reported as shouts for help. We investigated and didn't find anyone in need of our assistance, so we left them all to it. A false alarm with good intent.
The team was requested to assist Keswick MRT in a search of the central fells for four walkers who had reported themselves lost in mist by mobile phone. They were located on Allen Crags, way off their intended route. Team members got home around 2am.
