The walkers were stretchered from Whernside's summit ridge
Rescuers called to help a collapsed challenge walker on Yorkshire’s highest mountain discovered a second walker in difficulties.
Members of the Clapham-based Cave Rescue Organisation were alerted to a 25-year-old woman on the summit ridge of Whernside who had collapsed and was unconscious.
The team was called out about 4.20pm yesterday to aid the woman who was succumbed to hypothermia while attempting the ascent of the 736m (2,415ft) fell from the Blea Moor aqueduct as part of the 39km (24-mile) Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge.
A rescue team spokesperson said: “When the first CRO team arrived they found there was a second casualty, a 46-year-old woman, who was also very cold and unable to continue.
“Further members of the group were escorted down from the summit and walked off the hill.
“Two air ambulances were requested and following treatment by CRO the two casualties were stretchered down to the helicopters at Greensett Tarn for evacuation to hospital.”
alan james
04 August 2014Isn't it about time all of these 'challenge' organisations had to provide their own safety cover rather than calling out MR teams whose good work might very well be needed by members of the public elsewhere?
yamyam
04 August 2014Me wonders if these were the same folks we passed early in the day dressed in T Shirts and no coats .
Robert
04 August 2014Alan, aren't these walkers members of the public too? Or by joining a challenge do they opt out of society?
Paul B
04 August 2014At the very least some kind of supervision and reporting in mechanism should be in place so that any 'call out' is made early.
Of course everyone has a right to enjoy the fells and I am sure MR volunteers are willing to come out when needed.
But if someone is running an 'organised' event they must have aspen support infrastructure in place should they not?
Wainwright Walker
04 August 2014Alan,
I must have misread the article, where does it say that she was on an organisation's challenge event?
The Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge has been around for a long time.
Don't jump to t'conclusion that everyone who undertakes a challenge is with an organisation! or you'll be changing your name to Millican Dalton...
alan james
04 August 2014Chaps, Just assumed it was organized as the article states Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge. If they had just been out for a hike it would sure have just said 'on Whernside'. However I will agree that all members of the public can call on the MR teams if in difficulty but there must be some onus on race/ challenge organisations to provide safety cover if that is what this was.