A family of three with 7-year-old boy phoned for help after the boy refused to descend Bright Beck. Since this was the quickest way down, and darkness was encroaching, this presented them with a problem. They weren't confident with navigating the various options we suggested to them, so three team members went up to meet them and led them down!
A 25-year-old man slipped whilst out late. He sustained an ankle injury and was unable to walk. It's just possible alcohol was involved
A 57-year-old man became frozen by cramp in his thighs at the exit from Jacks Rake. His friends tried to help him, but to no avail. We arrived, pulled a few rabbits out of hats and walked him down. There's no point in using our stretcher if it can be avoided. Beers were supplied all round by the victim and his friends in the spirit of mountain rescue that we are keen to foster. (No pun intended, Scottish and Newcastle), cheques payable to LAMRT please).
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 52 year old man from Coventry collapsed and died possibly a heart attack. Pronounced dead when team reached the scene. Assisted by a helicopter from RAF Boulmer.
A fellwalker reported to the police that two people seemed to be in difficulties on a frozen section of the Rake. Team searched the area — negative results.
A small group came across a 46 year old man from Whetherby who had collapsed with a heart attack and exposure. A helicopter from R.A.F. Boulmer airlifted the casualty and the group, who were now very cold to the N.D.G. hotel. Then flew casualty to Whitehaven hospital.
Whilst preparing to start a route a 26 year old female from Liverpool was hit and pinned to the ground when a large rockfall occured. She sustained fractures to her skull, collar-bone, arm. leg and other serious m|unes. As a "Joint Exercise" on Oakhowe Crags was taking place, the team and Bowland-Pennine M.R.T. responded to the alert. She was lowered 40' to a flat area and a helicopter from R.A.F. Boulmer winched up and flew the casualty to Whitehaven Hospital.
The team and R.A.F. Linton M.R.T. having just completed rescue 44 was called out again for a 21 year old female from Barrow who fractured her lower leg when she slipped on loose rock. She was lowered down the Gully on a stretcher, then conveyed down the fellside.
A man scrambling up Jack's Rake became cragfast near the top.
During the evacuation on rescue 37, climbers on the crag alerted the teams that a 27 year old man from London had been hit on the head by rocks dislodged from above. The Team assisted by RAF St. Athan M.R.T., evacuated the critically injured man to Stickle Tarn. A helicopter from RAF Boulmer airlifted both casualties to Whitehaven Hospital.
RAF St. Athan M.R.T., who were on exercise, alerted the Team and assisted when a 21 year old climber from Ipswich fell whilst leading "Arcturas" and suffered a fracture to his leg. Lowered off and Stretchered to Stickle Tarn to await helicopter from Rescue 38
A 21 year old man from Newcastle-under-Lyme sustained head and spinal injuries when he fell 80 feet from "Rake End Chimney" and landed on Jacks Rake. A helicopter from RAF Boulmer flew the injured climber to Whitehaven Hospital. A female companion who was only slightly injured was airlifted to safety.
Many people reported the sighting of a red flare. The Team, having just completed rescue no. 5 turned out again. As most of the high crags were still under winter conditions all essential rescue gear was deployed. The Team reached Stickle Tarn and found a 'bored' couple setting off flares, not knowing the consequences. Escorted off the fell and dealt with by the local police officers.
A 29 year old climber from Kendal sustained spinal, pelvic, leg and arm injuries when he fell 75' whilst leading the 2nd pitch of "Wailing Wall". A helicopter from R.A.F. Boulmer flew the injured man to Whilehaven Hospital.
A 13 yearold boy slipped and fell on Screes and sustained head and ankle injuries. Boy was escorted off the fell before Team arrived. Given treatment by Team at NDG Hotel.
The Team assisted by Coniston M.R.T. went to the aid of a 26 year old female climber from Hove, Sussex who fell whilst leading Pitch 8. She sustained multiple injuries. A 250' stretcher lower down the face in darkness ensued.
A 22 year old student from Glasgow University fell 80' whilst leading the route "Astra". He sustained head and chest injuries and was flown to Lancaster Infirmary by R.A.F. Boulmer. The second climber suffered burns to both hands and was escorted down.
Two schoolgirls aged 17 from Wigan and Leigh suffered exposure and exhaustion. Both were weak due to poor feeding at camp. A poorly equipped schoolparty.
A 20 year old man from Glossop fell 70 ft. whilst leading a pitch on Pavey Ark, Langdale. He fell into Easy Gulley sustaining head and spinal injuries.The team lowered him down on a stretcher then carried to Stickle Tarn where RAF Boulmer flew him to Whitehaven Hospital.
Footnote: A hand hold gave way and there were no runners on, he also elected not to wear a helmet. From report and his friends he was a competent climber.
A 45 year old man from Hastings slipped and fell 20 ft. down Easy Gulley, Pavey Ark, Langdale. He sustained a fractured neck of femur. Team carried him out of gulley after lowering the stretcher by ropes for 400 ft. and then down the fellside to an ambulance and then to hospital in Kendal.
Footnote: Easy gulley is anything but, these days. There are many large rocks awaiting to roll down the gulley on some unsuspecting climber or walker.
A 14 year old schoolboy from Haywards Heath sustained serious head, face and internal injuries when under climbing instruction. It appeared a large rock hit the boy on the head. The team sent every piece of medical equipment up to the accident. The boy was carried by stretcher to Tarn Crag where RAF Boulmer picked the boy and team doctor up. Flown to Carlisle Hospital.
Footnote: This is where the teams medical equipment proved its worth. The resucitation equipment proved to be a sound investment.
