Incident Reports 1979

The Team were called out to assist a 22 year old woman from Salisbury after she had fallen 600' descending an ice gulley. She sustained spinal and head injuries plus pelvic and leg injuries. She had no Ice Axe or Crampons. Footnote: When snow and ice conditions prevail an Ice Axe and Crampons are essential. It is, however, vital that the person knows how to use this equipment. The "Sea King" crew must be praised for their effort on this rescue for not only were they operating in very poor conditions but also assisted on two other rescues that night.

The Team were called out to search for a 23 year old woman and a 19 year old man from Burton-on-Trent and Tatbury after they had been reported overdue at Langdale by a friend. They had been on a walk to Scafell. After searching all night they were found safe and well at 9-00 a.m. on 24th December.
Footnote: This couple had a tent with them and night caught them out on the tops so they camped at "Langdale Comb". They seemed rather cold but otherwise O.K. Weather Conditions: Snow and Sleet, Cold, Mist, Ice Underfoot, also Wet.

The Team went to the assistance of a 27 year old woman from Waiter, York who had a knee and leg injury. She was taken home by a companion for treatment.
Weather Conditions: Dull Drizzle, Cold, Very Wet Underfoot.

The Team went to the assistance of a 27 year old woman from Waiter, York who had a knee and leg injury. She was taken home by a companion for treatment.
Weather Conditions: Dull Drizzle, Cold, Very Wet Underfoot.

The Team went to the assistance of a 21 year old man from Grasmere who had injured his leg. After being seen by the Team Doctor he was allowed home.
Weather Conditions: Very Cold and Clear, Snow on frozen paths.

The Team were called out to assist a 45 year old man from Barrow-in-Furness after he had slipped and fallen about 50' on black ice. He sustained broken ribs and cuts, etc. He was well equipped and an experienced walker. Weather Conditions: Very Cold, Clear and Frosty, Ice Underfoot.

It was reported that a 14 year old boy from Stapleford, Notts., had collapsed from exposure but when the Team arrived at Gt. Rigg Man there was nobody there. He had been escorted down to Grasmere by his friends.
Footnote: This was a "wild goose chase". In fact we were so concerned that we called in a Helicopter that was on a practice flight in the area to search for this young man. Weather Conditions: Hail and Sleet, Cold, Windy, Frozen Ground.

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 28 year old man from Wakefleld who had fractured his leg when he was Trial riding. He had hit a rock and been thrown off the machine.
Footnote: Garburn seems to be a training ground for this type of sport — so" endeth a busy day".

The Team went to recover the body of a 24 year old man from Manchester who had slipped while descending the grass footpath after finishing his rock climb. He fell 200'.
Footnote: This man had "E.B.s" (a smooth soled rock boot) on which could have been the cause of him to fall. It was later learned that he was a novice climber.
Weather Conditions: Cold, Wet, Rain at times. Wet Rock.

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.

A search was mounted for a 24 year old man from the Kirkstone Pass Inn, Ambleside after he failed to report for work at 12 noon. The man was found dead behind the Inn at 8-30 a.m. on 13th October.
Footnote: 8 Mountain Rescue Teams, Search Dogs and an R.A.F. Helicopter from Boulmer took part in this search. Local Mines were searched by Mine Rescue Unit.
Weather Conditions: Cold, Clear, 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.

A 40 year old man from Carlisle was exploring a mine when the roof collapsed and he was buried 30' from the mine entrance. He sustained head, leg, arm and chest injuries.
Footnote: This man had been warned by others that it was unsafe to go and explore due to dangerous state of roof, etc. lt took 4 hours to free the man by the Mine Rescue Unit. This comprises a section of our Team, the Keswick Team and the Kendal Team, plus the Helicopter from R.A.F. Boulmer which transported rescue mine equipment from the Cave Rescue Organisation at Clapham to Caldbeck.

The Team were called out to a 20 year old man from Huyton, Liverpool who had become "cragfast" so had jumped down 10' to a ledge, missed and fell. He sus¬tained a fractured left leg.
Footnote: Passing walkers found this injured man, which was very lucky for him. He was walking solo off the path and in very bad conditions. Weather Conditions: Torrential Rain, Very Low Mist, Wet Rocks, etc.

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 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 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 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.

A 27 year old woman from Sheffield fell about 60ft. while leading a pitch and the Belay failed. She sustained knee, thigh and pelvic injuries. Footnote: Her "second" failed to arrest her fall due to Belay failure.

Weather Conditions: Wet Rock, Dull, Rain, Cold.

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.

A 24 year old man from Maidstone, Kent was abseiling and fell 40ft. — landing on his back and sustaining severe spinal injuries. The Team were called to assist.
Footnote: He descended the last 50ft. too fast, out of control and fell. All the climbing equipment was in first class order.
Weather Conditions: Warm, Sunny, Dry.

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.

A 31 year old man from Westcliffe-on-Sea had fallen about 300ft. from a main gulley onto snow sustaining head injuries and a possible fractured cheekbone. The Team escorted him down.
Footnote: His injuries may have been caused by his Ice Axe. Another climber stopped him falling any further — very well equipped.
Weather Conditions: Cold, Deep Snow, Ice, Clear.

The Police requested that the Team search a wider area for the lost equipment from Call-out No. 4 (previous day) but with negative results. It was three weeks before this man was identified.

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.

A report was received of 3 men caught in an Avalanche. Search by Keswick Team all. night. They were found the next afternoon at Eskdale.
Footnote: Team was taken by Helicopter (R.A.F. Boulmer) to the Central Gulley area (with Avalanche Probes) to assist Keswick, Wasdale and S.A.R.D.A. This was the first time we used the new "Sea King" Helicopter.
Weather Conditions: Cold, Waist Deep Snow, Low Cloud.

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. ?