The woman broke her ankle while walking on Gowbarrow Fell. Photo: Philip Halling CC-BY-SA-2.0

High winds prevented a helicopter landing to airlift an injured walker from a Lake District fell.

Mountain rescuers requested the help of the Great North Air Ambulance today when a 46-year-old woman broke and dislocated her ankle while walking with friends on Gowbarrow Fell overlooking Ullswater.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 1.10pm to the site above Yew Crag where the woman had slipped while walking with friends.

A team spokesperson said: “Once the team had located the casualty and treated her for her injuries, it was decided to request the assistance of the air ambulance due to the difficult and rocky location and seriousness of the fracture.

“At the time the helicopter was on another emergency so the team started to stretcher the casualty from the fell.

“Once available the Pride of Cumbria air ambulance flew to scene but was unable to land due to wind conditions and difficult terrain. The team continued to stretcher the lady from the fell where she was transferred to a waiting ambulance.”

The injured walker was taken to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle for further treatment.