Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, Cumbria, England

Incident No

Date

Time

Place

Weather conditions

Description

02/01/00

19.30

Helvellyn

Gale force winds, icy

Two walkers reported seeing two abandoned rucsacs close to footprints in the snow which were leading to a hole in a cornice. The summit ridge was searched and also the coves below with team members and search dogs. Neither persons nor equipment found.

Rescue

8/01/00

14.20

Helvellyn

Cold

A 19 year-old man fell from Helvellyn and sustained a fracture dislocation of his shoulder. He was treated on the fell by the team doctors and carried on a stretcher to the valley for onward transport to hospital.

Rescue

16/01/00

12.35

Blencathra

Cold, icy.

A 30 year-old man from York fell from Sharp Edge Blencathra. 5 members of the team were exercising with a helicopter from RAF Boulmer when the call came. They were flown direct to the scene. The casualty who had suffered serious head injuries was airlifted direct to Newcastle Hospital.

Rescue

19/02/00

15.45

Brown Cove, Helvellyn

Clear, icy.

A 29 year old Lancashire man fell whilst descending the cove and sustained injuries to his right leg. 14 members of the team were deployed with a helicopter from RAF Boulmer which was in the area at the time of the incident. He was treated for his injuries at the Cumberland Infirmary Carlisle.

Rescue

19/02/00

16.48

St. Sunday Crag

Cold and damp underfoot.

A 45 year old female slipped whilst crossing a stile and sustained lacerations which were treated at the scene by the team. She was evacuated from the fell and taken by County ambulance to Cumberland Infirmary Carlisle.

Rescue

20/02/00

15.05

Nethermost Cove

Clear, snow and ice.

A 40 year old male was avalanched by a collapsing cornice whilst climbing a gully in Nethermost Cove. He sustained serious face, back and leg injuries. A helicopter assisted the team members and transported him to the Cumberland Infirmary Carlisle.

Rescue

25/02/00

15.45

Helvellyn

Cold, hard snow.

A party were reported to be in difficulties in the main couloir on Helvellyn face. Shortly after the team responded a further message was received that the group were on safe ground and proceeding down the fell side.

Rescue

25/02/00

16.00

Red Screes, Kirkstone

Cold, hard snow.

A female fell into a snow gully whilst descending Red Screes and became crag fast. Langdale and Patterdale MRTs responded and she was led to safety and found to be uninjured.

Rescue

02/03/00

14.00

Helvellyn

Very stormy, snow.

A 41 year old male called via a mobile phone from the summit cross shelter. He was unable to make his way off due to high winds and poor visibility. With the highest winds experienced on the fell tops during a rescue for some years the team responded and he was escorted safely from the fell.

Rescue

04/03/00

13.57

Viking buttress, Helvellyn

Clear, cold

A man slipped and knocked into his companion causing both to fall. Both suffered minor injuries. The team were assisted by Bowland MRT who were in the area and a helicopter from RAF Boulmer which evacuated the pair from the fell.

Rescue

04/03/00

19.17

St. Sunday Crag

Cold, clear, icy.

Three fell walkers became crag fast when they ventured on to steep icy ground having lost the path in the dark. The team located the group, then roped and led them to safety.

Rescue

20/03/00

14.45

The Knott

Mild, rough ground.

A mountain biker sustained a fractured neck of femur whilst descending from the Knott. He was treated at the scene by the team and evacuated to the Cumbria Infirmary Carlisle by a helicopter from RAF Boulmer.

Rescue

31/03/00

12.15

High Force

Clear.

The team responded when a 66 year old male collapsed whilst walking near Aira Force. He was assisted to his transport and assessed as not requiring any further treatment.

Rescue

01/04/00

13.25

Helvellyn

Clear, mixed ground.

A couple became crag fast when they strayed off the path and found themselves on the headwall of Helvellyn. The team evacuated the pair with the assistance of a helicopter from RAF Boulmer which was in the area.

Rescue

22/04/00

14.00

Scalehow Beck

Clear, rough ground.

A 57 year old female suffered a fractured ankle whilst descending the beck. After treatment at the scene she was evacuated to a County ambulance and transported to the Cumbria Infirmary Carlisle.

Rescue

22/04/00

16.28

Row Head

Dry and mild.

A 37 year old male fell from a horse sustaining back injuries. The team treated him at the scene and evacuated him to a County ambulance. He was taken to the Cumbria Infirmary Carlisle for further assessment.

22/04/00

17.30

Helvellyn

Dry and clear.

A party was reported overdue and the team responded to a potential search. Search planning revealed that the party were safe at their chosen campsite.

Rescue

23/04/00

15.00

Sandwick

Clear and mild.

A 30 year old female sustained a lower leg fracture having slipped on wet grass. She was treated at the scene and evacuated to a County ambulance and transported to the Cumbria Infirmary Carlisle for treatment.

23/04/00

22.55

High Street

Cool, rough ground.

A couple mountain biking followed a guide book route but found it to be too ambitious. They became crag fast and benighted. The team located and led party back up on to High Street and guided them back to Pooley Bridge.

Rescue

27/04/00

12.55

Near Silver Point, Ullswater

Mild and dry.

A 45 year old female sustained a fractured ankle whilst walking along the Ullswater path. After treatment at the scene she was evacuated with the aid of the team's rescue boat and taken by County ambulance to the Cumbria Infirmary Carlisle.

Rescue

27/04/00

13.45

Long Crag, Ullswater

A 15 year old in an organised youth group complained of damage to an ankle having slipped whilst walking on the Ullswater path. He was assessed and evacuated by the team's rescue boat and taken by County ambulance to the Cumbria Infirmary Carlisle.

Rescue

27/04/00

14.00

Deepdale Hall

Dry and mild.

A 50 year old female fell walker slipped damaging her ankle. She was brought to the team's rescue centre for treatment and then taken by her party to Penrith New Hospital.

Rescue

27/04/00

14.10

Scalehow Beck path

Dry and mild.

An 86 year old male slipped whilst walking on the lake path and sustained lacerations to his scalp. He was treated at the scene and then taken to Penrith New Hospital.

27/04/00

19.00

Patterdale

Clear, dry.

Patterdale, Penrith and Kendal MRTs searched for a man who had become separated from his group whilst walking in the High Street area. He was located returning to Patterdale having made a navigation error.

Animal rescue

28/04/00

15.30

Helvellyn

Clear, dry.

A family requested assistance when their dog fell 50 ft from Helvellyn. They managed to retrieve the dog and two team members met then on their descent to Glenridding. The dog was given oxygen and arrangements were made for an assessment by a vet.

04/05/00

17.00

Barton Fell

Dry, wet underfoot.

A fell walker found what appeared to be an unexploded bomb whilst walking in the Barton fell area. An initial search was carried out followed by a further search the following day. Nothing was found; the area is known to contain ordnance from military training during the second world war.

Rescue

06/05/00

14.00

Dove Crag

Clear and dry.

A 36 year old male suffered severe stomach pains and vomiting and was reported to be drifting in and out of consciousness. SARDA and Teasdale MRT members were on a practice in the area and helped to locate casualty. The team treated him on scene and he was then evacuated by a helicopter from RAF Boulmer for assessment at the Cumbria Infirmary Carlisle.

Animal rescue

06/05/00

19.45

Striding Edge, Helvellyn

Clear and dry.

A female walking with her 18 yr. old son and dog requested help to get her dog off Striding Edge as it was frightened and would not walk. Advice was given which resulted in a safe retreat from the edge and the pair plus dog managed to gain the valley bottom safely.

Rescue

21/05/00

19.10

Lock Bank, above Sharrow Bay

Dry but damp underfoot.

A paraglider landed badly resulting in a fractured ankle. The team assessed and treated her at the landing site and then evacuated her to a County ambulance. She was transferred to the Cumbria Infirmary Carlisle for further treatment.

Animal search

03/06/00

18.20

Aira Force

Rain, slippery.

A walker had seen a dog in the gorge at Aira Force. It appeared unable to get out and was yelping. A search was carried out but nothing was found.

Rescue

10/06/00

15.30

Cleugh Mine, Nenthead

Wet

A caver became trapped in the mine with serious injuries, having fallen whilst descending. One of our team doctors was asked to assist by COMRU (Cumbria Ore Mine Rescue Unit). The team also responded to a request to assist with evacuation. The operation was successfully completed after 6.5 hours and the man was evacuated by helicopter from RAF Boulmer to Newcastle General Hospital.

Rescue

17/06/00

14.35

Ullswater path near Silver Crag

Warm and dry.

A 29 year old female fainted with pain from an aggravated spinal injury whilst walking on the lake path. She was treated and evacuated to a team vehicle for transfer to a County ambulance. Further assessment and treatment was given at the Cumbria Infirmary Carlisle.

Rescue

19/06/00

16.05

Glencoyne

Hot and dry.

A 53 year old female suffered breathing difficulties whilst walking around Glencoyne Head. Her condition eased on the descent and having been assessed by the team she was transported to her awaiting coach. She was advised to consult a doctor.

Public assistance

25/06/00

15.30

Country Fair, Patterdale

Warm and dry.

A 6 year old child needed treatment for a small head wound suffered by a fall at the Country Fair. The team were in attendance and provided first aid. The family were advised to take the child to hospital to have the wound sealed.

Rescue

12/07/00

17.20

Ullswater
Lake shore path.

Warm and dry

The captain of Lake Steamer noticed a collapsed man on the Ullswater Lake shore path. The steamer was taken in close to the shore and contact was made by loud hailer. The team were called by the police to attend. The 84 yr. old man had tumbled from the path and suffered bruising and abrasions but was otherwise unhurt. He was transported, with his party, back to Patterdale.

Rescue

17/07/00

21.30

Grisedale.

Warm and dry evening

Two walkers telephoned the police reporting their concern for a party of two and a young boy who were moving very slowly due to an arthritic problem. The woman had also fallen earlier in the day. They were met on the way down from their walk and transported back to their car at Glencoyne.

Rescue

20/07/00

15.45

Helvellyn Swirral edge

Hot and dry.

The Team assisted a 57 year old man from Morecambe who had suffered chest pains whilst walking with friends on Swirral edge, Helvellyn. He was treated on the fell and airlifted to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle.

24/07/00

19.30

Helvellyn

Damp warm
misty on tops

Party of 3 set off for circular walk via Striding and Swirral edges. One member of party turned back before Striding Edge leaving woman and son to continue. The two became disorientated on Helvellyn summit in the mist and decided to retrace their route being unable to locate Swirral Edge. Met by team as search was being initiated.

29/07/00

19.30

Pace Fell

Dry warm

16 members and a search dog responded to a call from a camper who had seen two persons waving frantically from a rocky area of Place Fell above Ullswater. An extensive search of the area revealed nothing.

Animal Rescue

30/07/00

15.00

Pasture Beck

Hot clear

Response to a request from local farmer to rescue a sheep stranded on an Inaccessible crag.

04/08/00

15.15

Helvellyn

Misty on fell tops

A member of a party of eight arrived at base to report the remainder of her party missing having separated from them whilst on Helvellyn. Preliminary assessment and investigation commenced and the remainder of the party were found a short time later at their cars in Glenridding.

Rescue

05/08/00

12.15

Gowbarrow

Dry, overcast

The team was called to assist a 42 year old man who sustained a fractured ankle whilst walking on the Gowbarrow path from Watermillock to Aira Force. He was treated and evacuated from the fell by stretcher and then taken by County ambulance to Cumbria Infirmary Carlisle.

Rescue

09/08/00

17.45

Barton Fell

Windy, Dry

A 14 year old male had fallen from his mountain bike landing heavily. He was treated for suspected spinal injuries and stretchered from the fell side to a biting ambulance for onward transfer to Carlisle Hospital

Rescue

10/08/00

16.18

Kepple Cove

Dry

Low cloud

A 19 year old female with a led group fell into Kepple Cove and sustained head, and spinal injuries together with lacerations. A leaking helicopter from RAF Boulmer airlifted the casualty direct to Carlisle Infirmary.

Rescue

13/08/00

1600

Helvellyn

Rain

Low cloud

Two walkers, a 22yr old male and a 19yr old female, on route for Helvellyn lost the path at the top of Striding Edge and wandered on to steep and broken ground on the headwall of Helvellyn. They both became cragfast and required the assistance of the team with ropes to extricate them. Both were guided off safely.

12/08/00

17.40

Patterdale

Heavy rain

Low cloud

A party of 9 walkers set off to walk from Grasmere to Patterdale. Arrangements were made for a coach to meet them at 1600 hrs at Patterdale. The Coach driver raised the alarm when they failed to arrive at the designated time. All arrived safely as the search was in its initial stage.

Rescue

19/08/00

18.50

St Sunday Crag

Mild

Damp underfoot

A 43 year old female slipped on the St Sunday Crag path causing a foot injury. Treated for fracture and stretchered down to the valley. On the descent route a wasps nest was disturbed causing distress to both casualty and rescuers!

21/08/00

17.00

Dollywagon Pike

Mild

The team were called to assist a 55 year old man who had a recurring knee problem. One of the party had descended to Patterdale to request MR assistance. Another person also reported this incident to the Langdale Ambleside Team. The casualty was stretchered to Dunmail Raise and his companions were also assisted down.

First Aid

21/08/00

17.00

Patterdale

A 40 yr. old female had slipped and badly lacerated her left knee. She had managed to walk to the Rescue Centre which was manned due to incident No 49. The wound was cleaned and dressed.

Animal Rescue

22/08/00

17.00

Above Aira Force

Dry, Clear

A Springer Spaniel had fallen into the ravine above Aira Force and was unable to get out. Members of the team were lowered to just above the water and brought the animal to safety.

Rescue

30/08/00

12.00

Glencoyne

Hot, Clear

A 16 year old male on a youth expedition, suffered mild exhaustion on the fell above Glencoyne and was unable to continue. He was monitored, stretchered from the hill and taken to Penrith New Hospital. After examination by a doctor he was discharged.

1/09/00

Grisedale

Wet

Passing walkers reported seeing a rucksack left unattended on the fellside. The reporting persons were concerned for the safety of the owner having waited for some time and not locating any person. The team went to the reported location, a search was made of the area and the mine entrance. No rucksack was found.

8/09/00

19.00

Patterdale

Overcast Dry

2 inexperienced mature walkers six hours over due from a walk in the Patterdale area. No route left. Located by Police at their Pooley Bridge Holiday address as search was starting.

11/09/00

2.00am

High Street

Low Cloud, wet

Assisted Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team (search dog and base support) for 6 well overdue walkers. Members of the Long Distance Walkers association. A navigational error made the route even more long distance. Turned up at LAMRT HQ in early hours of morning safe and well.

Rescue

14/09/00

13.15

Little Meldrum

A 67 yr old female slipped on the fell path to Dockray. The woman suffered a fractured ankle. She was treated on the fell and stretchered to the road side to a waiting ambulance.

Rescue

9/10/00

15.40

Heck Crag Bannerdale

wet, cool

The team was called to assist 4 teenage students on a D of E expedition. Reported to be hypothermic. On arrival at the site the students were found to be cool and wet. 3 were walked off the hill and the fourth was stretchered down to the road head with a sprained ankle. The Penrith Mountain Rescue Team assisted with the rescue.

Rescue

9/10/00

Patterdale

Very wet

As the rescue centre was being closed after the previous incident a mini bus arrived with 6 students from the same school as incident 56 all suffering from mild hypothermia. The students were treated at the centre by the team and team doctor. Advised to seek hostel accommodation for the night rather than returning to wet tents and clothing.

Rescue

21/10/00

15.03

Whiteside

Dry

A Female walking with companions on the ridge slipped sustaining a badly lacerated knee. A helicopter in the area airlifted the casualty to the road at Swirls to meet the Keswick Team.

Rescue

21/10/00

15.15

Greenside

Dry

At about the same time a woman fell near to the quarry and fractured her tibia and fibula. As the helicopter was still in the area the casualty was flown direct to Carlilse Infirmary.

22/10/00

16.15

Kirkstone Pass

Foggy Wet

A 16 year old male walker, on a circular mountain top route from Harts , made a serious navigational error resulting in a descent to Ambleside and a walk back to Kirkstone. He was located at the roadside. No compass.

Rescue

25/10/00

14.40

Sleet Fell Boredale

Wet

A 54 year old D of E assessor slipped on the path sustaining a fractured Tibia and Fibula. He was treated on the fell and stretchered to the road head.

Rescue

26/10/00

03.00

Dunmail Raise

An extensive search mounted for 2 missing mountain bikers. No intentions or route left. No map. The pair were located in the morning after an overnight search by four Mountain Rescue Teams, Both suffering from hypothermia.

Rescue

05/11/00

12.45

Glencoyne

wet under foot

A 63 year old female on a solo walk slipped on wet grass and sustained an open fracture of the Femur and a dislocation and fracture to her Humorous. The woman was unable to move and shouted for an hour before she could attract attention from two passing walkers. Her mobile phone had no signal.

Rescue

11/11/00

10.30

Helvellyn

Cold Wet

The police received a call from a mobile phone to report a party cragfast and stuck on a patch of snow Helvellyn. The team responded but were later informed that passing walkers had assisted the party to safe ground.

Rescue

7/12/00

17.35

Place Fell

Windy Wet

The Team were alerted to shouts for help on the fell above Blowick. A 29 yr old male was located by the team search dog. The man was cold and unable to move on steep bake ground. He was safely guided down to Patterdale by the Team.

29/12/00

19.30

Howtown area

A party of four had descended form High Street area and arrived at a road. They contacted the police via their mobile phone and requested transport back to their car at Pooley Bridge. They were subsequently located having been given a lift back to Pooley Bridge.