Aira Force. Photo: Dominic Hargreaves

A 79-year-old walker survived a tumble into a waterfall today at a Lake District beauty spot.

The man was left clinging to a crack in the rock at Aira Force, Ullswater, above a 37m (120ft) drop at in the gorge and had to be rescued by members of Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team. He was taken to hospital after being pulled from the water.

Police, a fire crew and ambulance staff also attended the incident this morning, Wednesday. He was eventually airlifted by helicopter from the scene.

A spokesperson for Patterdale MRT said: “The rescue was particularly difficult due to the casualty’s location, immediately above the 120ft drop of the main waterfall.

“He was cold and holding on to a crack in the vertical rock on the side of the gorge.

“After putting into place measures to ensure the safety of the rescue team, the man was brought out of the water, placed on a stretcher, and then hoisted up the sides of the gorge on a rope system set up by the team. The man was then carried to the team’s Land Rover.”

The man was taken to the waiting air ambulance which flew him to hospital.