Catstye Cam (right). Both Patterdale and RAF Leeming rescue teams were training when the climber fell

A climber who fell from a Lake District fell landed close to a mountain rescue team training in the valley below.

The County Durham man, aged 23, fell about 200m (656ft) while on a winter climb today in Y Gully on Catstye Cam. He was airlifted to hospital after being treated at the scene of the accident.

Members of both the Patterdale and the RAF Leeming Mountain Rescue Teams were in the area training.

A spokesperson for the Patterdale team said of the climber: “Despite having an ice axe and crampons, he was unable to stop himself and fell approximately 200m down the snow slope. He came to rest near a group from RAF Leeming Mountain Rescue Team who were training in the area.

“Members of the [Patterdale] rescue team and Leeming personnel treated the man for a compound fracture to his lower leg. His leg was stabilised, he was given pain relief then transferred into a stretcher. He was then airlifted from the scene by an RAF helicopter from Boulmer for transfer to Carlisle Hospital.”

• The Patterdale team was then called to Ullswater where police had received a report of child drowning.

The spokesperson said: “The team searched the area where the casualty was reported, but found nothing. The team was then joined by police, ambulance, paramedic and air ambulance personnel.

“After a short further search the team was stood down having found nothing. It is believed that this incident was as a result of a hoax call.”