Rescuers in action on Sharp Edge during the incident. Photo: Keswick MRT

A walker was rescued after falling from a Lake District accident blackspot.

The 25-year-old solo walker was on Sharp Edge on Blencathra when he slipped and fell 10m (33ft) down the Scales Tarn side of the ridge.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was called out shortly before 1.10pm yesterday and spent 5½ hours in what they described as a difficult rescue of the walker, who injured his foot badly in the fall.

A Keswick MRT spokesperson said: “He was in a precarious position, and the team despatched a vehicle immediately, and requested a winching helicopter to assist.

“A team member walking in the area was able to locate the casualty’s position.

The Sea King in action during the rescue. Photo: Keswick MRT

“The casualty’s recovery was complicated by very slippery conditions, loose rock and a shortage of good anchor points for rope rescue.

“A Sea King from RAF Boulmer was unable to access the site initially because of low cloud, so the team lowered the casualty on a stretcher 150m.

“He was then moved to a point where the helicopter was able to retrieve him with some brilliant flying.”

The man was flown to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle for further treatment.

While the rescue was underway, the team’s help was requested for a walker who injured her ankle walking near the Stake Pass above Langstrath.

The 70-year-old woman injured her ankle in the incident.

The team spokesperson said: “The majority of available team members were tied up with the Sharp Edge rescue, but two valley members went direct.

“A further scratch team of six, which included two RAF Valley MRT members, made their way down to Langstrath, only to find that the indomitable lady had managed to walk or limp nearly all the way back to Rosthwaite and: ‘No, she didn’t want a lift the rest of the way, thank you.’

“Were all our subjects quite so determined. The team returned to base.”