A 47-year-old man was descending from a climb when he was hit by a very large boulder falling down the gulley. He sustained a very serious fracture to his lower leg. He was treated at the scene and airlifted to Carlisle Hospital by RAF Boulmer. Considering the number of people enjoying the fine weather in the area, we were lucky to not have to deal with other injured people. Sadly, we later learned that due to the severity of his injuries, his foot had to be amputated.
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.
The team assisted by RAF Linton MRT and RAF Stafford MRT went to the aid of a 33 year old climber from Northampton who fell 40' onto a small ledge. She sustained fractured ribs, spinal and leg injuries. Stretcher lowered 80' to base of crag, then conveyed to the ODG to an awaiting ambulance.
The team went to the assistance of a 30 year old female from Oldham when 2 'protection runners' came out and failed to arrest her 20' fall. She suffered spinal and minor body injuries. Evacuated to ambulance at the ODG.
At 24 year old climber from London, having gone off the recognised route tried to reverse some hard moves and fell 40'. He sustained head, chest, spinal and leg injuries. Stretcher lowered over difficult ground, then carried to an awaiting ambulance.
The team went to the assistance of a 19 year old man from Newby Bridge, who had fallen 60' to base of crag during a solo attempt of "Pluto". He sustained spinal iniuries and a broken leg.
The team and R.A.F. St. Athans M.R.T. just completed Rescue No. 18 turned out again when a 40 year old man from Kendal fell 50' to base of crag. He sustained severe head and other multiple injuries. A helicopter from R.A.F. Boulmer winched up casualty and team doctor and flew both to hospital
A 51 year old man from Ambleside fell about 25ft and sustained a complicated fracture to his lower leg/ankle. Stretcher lowered 200ft down gulley and carried over snow covered boulders to Kirkstone. Then by ambulance to Lancaster hospital. Both climbers very experienced.
Many people reported "Cries of Help" in the above areas. A search lasting 4 hours produced negative results.
A search was mounted for 2 teenage climbers from Stourbridge overdue from rock climb. One climber found but his friend was last seen near top of crag. Eventually located missing climber unhurt amongst boulders at East Raven Crag. They had no torches.
The team investigated many reports of flashing lights above the crags. Eventually found two male climbing instructors from Bowness on a 'Pretend Bivi'. To avoid any more confusion they were escorted down.
A 47 year old man from Hatf ield, who had no intention to rock climb, decided to solo climb the first pitch of Middlefell Buttress. He slipped and fell 20 feet and fractured his right leg/ankle.
A rock handhold broke loose and caused a 21 year old student from Norwich to fail 20'from "Holly Tree Direct" and suffer a leg fracture.
Whilst leading "Evening Wall" a 26 year old man from Surrey fell 80' onto ledge and sustained multiple injuries.
A novice climber aged 17 from Newcastle-upon-Lyme and wearing E.B. Rockbootsfell90' from "Holly Tree Traverse" during heavy rain. He sustained collar bone, rib and arm fractures. Leader of group tried to walk the casualty down, but called Team as casualties condition rapidly deteriorated.
The Team went to the assistance of a 35 year old man man from Canvey Island, Essex who sustained a damaged right knee, smooth soled shoes could have caused the injury.
A 24 year old male from Leicester fell 250ft. to the base of the crag and sustained severe head, spinal, pelvic and leg injuries.
A 38 year old man from Loughborough fell 30ft., and sustained severe bruising and shock whilst trying to climb fresh snow. The Team were called to evacuate the inexperienced party, who had no ropes or crampons, from the top section of the Gulley.
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.
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.
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
While the previous incident was being dealt with, we were alerted by RAF Mountain Rescue Team members, who were climbing in Langdale, that a woman had fallen 100ft in the the Raven Crag area. They had gone to her aid. The team responded, along with members of Kendal MRT, and dealt with this incident as well. The woman, had been trying to find a way down for her family, who were walking above, when she fell. She suffered multiple injuries including injuries to her head, neck and spine. She was airlifted to hospital by the Royal Navy.
A woman slipped while scrambling. She fell approximately 100 feet, sustaining multiple injuries including suspected pelvic fractures, possible spleen damage, multiple rib fractures, leg fractures, wrist, back and head injuries. She was treated by team members at the scene and airlifted to Whitehaven by the RAF.
A woman in her 20s was seconding a climb when she fell off. She fell approximately 15 metres, penduluming into the crag. She sustained a serious head injury, despite her helmet, and injuries to her lower back and ankle. She was treated at the scene and airlifted to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle by RAF helicopter. Again we were assisted by Kendal MRT.
Flashing lights and shouts were heard from Raven Crag. An investigation found people working late at a farm, and darkness on the crag. Back in bed inside the hour!
We were asked by the Police to investigate flashing lights on Raven Crag. We found a couple of campers and left them to it.
A 20 year old man from London fell about 100 ft. while leading a pitch on Raven Crag, Langdale.
