The boy fell 50m from Swirral Edge

A young walker is in hospital with serious injuries after falling from Swirral Edge in the Lake District.

The 10-year-old boy from Preston slipped and fell about 50m (165ft) from the edge on Helvellyn this afternoon.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team members were called out about 3.30pm today and were joined at the scene by the crew of the Great North Air Ambulance.

Rescuers said the boy was coming down the ridge with his father when he slipped on a steep snow slope and fell.

The Pride of Cumbria helicopter airlifted rescuers to the mountain and they then made their way to where the boy came to rest. He was secured and the air ambulance doctor and paramedic treated the walker before he was placed in a vacuum mattress.

The boy and his father were winched into a search and rescue Sea King helicopter from RAF Boulmer, which had also flown to the site, and they were then airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne.

A Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team spokesperson said: “He was conscious but was treated for suspected pelvic and possible head injuries.”

A doctor flew with the boy in the helicopter.

Today’s Lake District felltop assessor’s report, compiled by one of the two men who make the daily trip to the summit of Helvellyn, said: “Swirral and Striding Edges have bare dry rock interspersed with patches of hard ice.

“Their steep exit ramps are covered by deep, unavoidable hard snow and ice and should only be tackled by those experienced and equipped for such conditions.

“Full winter clothing and equipment is essential for anyone venturing out onto the fells and going above the snowline.

“For those attempting, or traversing, steep ground, an ice-axe and crampons are also essential, especially given an overnight frost.”

Swirral Edge is one of two edges enclosing the cirque of Red Tarn below the 950m (3,117ft) summit of Helvellyn, England’s third highest mountain.