The incident happened in wintry conditions in Grains Gill. Photo: Trevor Littlewood CC-BY-SA-2.0

A couple were airlifted to hospital after surviving a 70m fall down a snowy slope on a Lake District fell.

The walkers were found near the top of Grains Gill, north of Great End, yesterday after calling for help.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 4.45pm after the man dialled 999.

A team spokesperson said: “A very broken call was received requesting mountain rescue.

“Over several attempts to return the call, it was established that the caller’s wife had broken her leg somewhere above Seathwaite.

“Our best guess was that it was on the way to Sty Head, and so set off in that direction. Information later came in suggesting it was at the top of Grains Gill.

“Because of the uncertainties, we requested a Sea King helicopter to assist in locating the incident.

“It was just as well, as the caller and his wife had both fallen over 70m [230ft] down a snow slope and had both sustained head injuries and fractures.”

Rescuers treated the pair at the scene and the couple were then airlifted by the RAF helicopter to hospital for further treatment.

The rescue lasted just over four hours and involved 23 volunteer team members. It was the Keswick team’s 18th callout of the year