Male (21), of Langdale, sustained exposure and shock while "air bed racing" on the flooded Langdale Beck at Chapel Stile. He clung to a rock island in the middle of the beck after being swept over a raging weir. The team rescued him from the river and he was treated by the team doctor for exposure.
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.
Female (30) of Coniston, was struck by a large stone whilst on Rescue No. 20, and she received leg injuries. The team carried her down on a stretcher and she was taken to the County Hospital, Kendal. Footnote: The stone was dislodged by a party further up the scree who were unconnected with the rescue team and previous accident victim. This woman is a very experienced mountaineer and was assisting with Rescue No. 20 when the accident happened.
Student (18) of Nottingham, fell while "scree running" in Pike O'Stickle, Langdale and he received serious head and shoulder injuries. The team carried him down the scree on a stretcher and then he was taken to the County Hospital, Kendal.
Footnote: This man had fairly good footwear but he was descending the screes in short pants without sufficient leg protection against the stones. He had no previous experience on screes. Weather conditions: dry, clear skies but dull.
A man collapsed in Mickleden while walking and sustained a head injury. He was treated and evacuated to an ambulance waiting at the road head.
Boy (16), from London, slipped and fell about 20 feet on wet rocks at Elterwater Common, Langdale. He sustained head injuries. Team members assisted him off the fell and he was treated by the team doctor in Ambleside.
Footnote: His boots were of the smooth soled type.
Weather conditions: Bad, with rain, mist and very wet ground underfoot.
Female (42), from London, slipped and fell sixty feet on Pike Howe, Langdale. She received serious head, neck and back injuries. The team carried her down the fell on a stretcher and she was taken to the County Hospital, Kendal.
Footnote: This woman had good clothing but her footwear left much to be desired—short Wellingtons with smooth soles. The cause of the accident is something of a mystery: she either slipped or over balanced. Weather conditions: very warm, dry and sunny.
Three boys (all aged 17), from Welwyn Garden City and Blackpool, suffered exposure at the head of Mickieden, Langdale. All three were assisted down the fell and then to the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel where they were treated by the team doctor.
Footnote: These boys were on a Duke of Edinburgh expedition, but with the equipment they had, both group and personal, they should never have started out—it was a very bad turn out altogether.
Weather conditions: Very bad, with rain and mist, and ground conditions were very wet. It was very cold for the time of year.
Child (7) from Macolesfield, wandered off from his parents at Harry Place Farm, Langdale, with his dalmation dog, Roc. After a search he was found by the team in a dazed and shocked condition at Penny Rock, Grasmere. A team doctor treated him for shock at Ambleside .
Male (59) of Birmingham, collapsed and died at Stickle Tarn, Langdale. The team carried his body down the fell. Footnote: This man had been fell walkng for years and his equipment was first class. Death was not due to any accident but to natural causes.
Male (24), a serving soldier from Exeter fell 80 feet while rock climbing on Gimmer Crag, Langdale. The team carried the climber, who had serious multiple injuries, to an R.A.F. helicopter which had been diverted from a training flight and landed on a nearby peak.
Male (37) of Stevenage, collapsed from heat exhaustion in Rossett Ghyll, Langdale. The team carried him down the fell on a stretcher and he was taken to the County Hospital, Kendal.
Footnote: This man was properly equipped for the fells.
Weather conditions: Very warm with brilliant sunshine.
Male (27), of Derby, received head, arm and back injuries when he fell on Pike O' Stickle Screes. The team met him at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel after he had walked down unaided. The team's ambulance took him to the County Hospital, Kendal.
Footnote: His footwear for scree walking was most unsuitable (light canvas smooth soled shoes). He had no fell walking equipment or experience.
Female (53) slipped and fell off a footpath in Mill Ghyll, Langdale, and she sustained a broken ankle. The team carried her down the fell on a stretcher, and she was taken to the County Hospital, Kendal. Footnote: This woman was dressed in ordinary town clothes and shoes, and she had no experience of the fells. Weather conditions: Good.
Male (30) from Nottingham, whilst preparing to climb, was hit by a loose rock from above, dislodged by another climber on Middle Fell Buttress, Langdale. He received head, neck and shoulder injuries. The team conveyed him down the fell assisted by the South Ribble team, and he was taken to the County Hospital, Kendal.
Footnote; This rock climber had not even started his climb and was sorting his gear out when the rock hit him. He had no helmet on at the time, but the climber who dislodged the rock had no connection with this man.
Male (40), of London, collapsed and died while walking with his son on the Crinkle Crags, Langdale. The team carried his body down the fell.
Footnote: Death was not due to any accident but to natural causes.
Girl (15), from Lancaster, slipped and fell while descending a scree below Thorn Crag, Langdale. She sustained an injury to her right leg, and the team carried her down the fell on a stretcher and she went by ambulance to Westmorland Hospital, Kendal.
Footnote: Although this was an organised school party in this parlcular girl's case her personal equipment, especially her footwear (smooth soled) was only fair.
Weather conditions: Ideal, warm sunshine and dry ground conditions.
Male (20), of Blackpool slipped and fell on wet rocks at Blake Rigg, Langdale and dislocated his shoulder. The team conveyed him down the fell on a stretcher and he was taken by ambulance to the County Hospital, Kendal.
Footnote: Ground conditions were fairly wet and his footwear was of the smooth soled variety. Neither did he have equipment or proper clothing for fell walking.
A man was reported moving very slowly and in some difficulty descending The Band. After seeming to make little progress it was decided to go and investigate. He was located having succeeded in getting down.
A father and son from Formby were reported missing. 14 search dogs from Lakes, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cleveland areas called to assist and flown to the area by a helicopter from RAF Boulmer. Found about midday safe and well, had been totally lost. Wasdale and Keswick teams also assisted.
The Wasdale and Keswick teams requested our assistance when 2 schoolboys were reported missing. Searchdogs checked the Rossett Gill, Angle Tarn, Esk Hause areas. At first light small group of team members airlifted to Scafell by a helicopter from RAF Boulmer about mid day, boys found safe and well in Eskdale.
The manager from the ODG reported constant flashing lights on thcfcllside. A small party with search dogs found the problem on Pike Howe. A fire, that had been smouldering on a path had 'f!ared-up'. Path repair gang working nearby during the day.
A small group of team members and the AIB flown to crash site by a helicopter from RAF Boulmer. By late afternoon, with site investigations completed, the wreckage was made secure — trundled down the gulley to screes below. Everyone flown back to Ambleside.
A helicopter from RAF Boulmer flew team, police, RAF MRT's and the Department of Transport Aircraft Investigation Branch to site to recover the pilot's remains. Assisted AIB with examination of wreckage etc. Airlifted to Ambleside Rugby field late afternoon.
Cumbria Police notified the team a light aircraft was missing. Then fellwalkers reported it had crashed in low cloud at top of gulley and exploded. When the team found the wrecked 'Saratoga', the intense fire had burnt the pilots body beyond recognition. Guarded overnight by RAF Linton and RAF Stafford MRT's. Helicopters from RAF Boulmer and Valley forced back due to adverse weather conditions.
Two youths at ODG campsite reported lights on the fell. A small group investigated lights and informants. False alarm with good intent. Rest of team on stand by at Ambleside base.
During a training hike, a 14 year old youth from Essex collapsed. He was rested then the group pressed on. The youth collapsed again suffering from exhaustion/hypothermia. Given 'hot air' therapy and stretchered to team vehicle. Seen by team doctor at ODG base, then taken to High Close YHA.
Fellrunners reported a competitor had fallen and injured his leg. Team responded and 'medical sac' was despatched onto the fell. Then notified the 30 year old man had been assisted down. Team returned to base.
The team searched gullies and ravines on Gimmer Crag for a missing man. Nothing was found
The team went to the assistance of a 37 year old local man who slipped and fractured his leg whilst out walking his dog. An ambulance was called first but could not reach the scene. Team stretchered him to ambulance.
