The Great North Air Ambulance Guardian of the North at Seatoller during the incident. Photo: GNAAS

A cyclist was seriously injured when he fell down a ravine in the Lake District.

The 38-year-old suffered head, chest and back injuries in the incident on the Honister Pass today.

The rider was taking part in a sportive event when he lost control of his machine when his brakes failed, and hit a tree, catapulting him 15m into the gill.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was called out and the Great North Air Ambulance flew to the scene about midday.

The cyclist was extricated from the site by the mountain rescue team and was treated at the scene by ambulance paramedics and the Great North Air Ambulance Service trauma team.

He was then flow to hospital in Preston for further treatment in the major trauma centre. His condition was described as stable on arrival at the hospital.

Twelve members of Keswick Mountain Rescue Team were called out to the incident, which lasted almost 2½ hours.