Rescuers stretcher the injured Peel Crag climber to the air ambulance. Photo: Northumberland NPMRT

Rescuers pleaded with climbers in their area to take the necessary precautions after they were called out to three fallen rock-climbers in 10 days.

Northumberland National Park and the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Teams were called to two separate incidents in one day, one of which was within a few metres of a similar fall a few days previously.

The two volunteer teams were alerted to a climber injured on Peel Crag near Once Brewed about 1.15pm on Tuesday.

A Northumberland NPMRT spokesperson said: “A climber had fallen approximately 16m [53ft], only a few metres away from a another similar incident that the mountain rescue teams responded to just 10 days earlier, landing on boulders and uneven ground at the bottom of the crag.

“A doctor from the Great North Air Ambulance treated and stabilised the casualty before being stretchered by mountain rescue and the North East Ambulance Service [hazardous area response] team across uneven ground to the waiting helicopter.

“Reports on social media have suggested that the incident on 14 May was caused by rock instability and a chockstone becoming dislodged. There is no evidence to suggest that the incident on 24 May was caused by similar means. Both casualties were experienced and well equipped rock climbers.”

Just over an hour after being called out to Peel Crag, the teams were alerted to another fallen climber at Kyloe Crag.

The Prestwick Coastguard helicopter was in action at Kyloe Crag.

Three team members and a North East Ambulance Service paramedic arrived at the scene about the same time, within 30 minutes of the callout. The team spokesperson said: “The paramedic and a mountain rescue medic worked together to stabilise the casualty who had sustained a serious lower leg injury in his fall.

“Given the nature of the terrain and the casualty’s injuries it was deemed a helicopter evacuation was required. A Coastguard helicopter was despatched from Prestwick for its winching capabilities.

“The helicopter on arrival at Kyloe Crag winched the stretcher and casualty on board from the location below the crag. The casualty was then transferred to a crewed road ambulance for onward transport to hospital. The North East Ambulance Service HART team was also involved in the incident.”

A total of 10 mountain rescue team members were involved at Peel Crag for 1½ hours, and 11 volunteers at Kyloe Crag for 2½ hours.

The spokesperson said: “With three climbers, each with potentially life-changing injuries airlifted from Northumberland crags within 10 days, the mountain rescue teams wish to remind all climbers to minimise their exposure to risk by taking reasonable precautions.

“Furthermore, the mountain rescue teams would like to thank their members’ employers, families and friends, who allow members to disappear to attend such incidents at a moment’s notice without question, day or night.”