The mountain biker fell near the summit of Skiddaw

A mountain biker was airlifted from a Lake District mountain after suffering injuries when he fell from his machine.

The 50-year-old was near the summit of Skiddaw on Saturday when the incident happened.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 1.30pm and the Great North Air Ambulance was also scrambled from its base near Penrith.

A team spokesperson said the rider was reported to have leg injuries but actually had head, chest and arm injuries.

The spokesperson said: “Helmed 58 [the air ambulance] had also been tasked to this incident, and to no-one’s surprise, got there first.

“The downside was that the aircraft was 600m from the patient, so the team was needed to assist with the carry, which wasn’t hugely popular given the high temperatures and a flog up the 600m in height from Gale Road car park to the top.

“However, the task was achieved, the casualty was loaded aboard, and he was then flown to the Cumberland Infirmary for treatment.”

The rescue lasted 2¾ hours and involved 17 volunteers from Keswick MRT.