The man fell close to the 'bad step' on Striding Edge

Rescuers had to brave lightning and thunderstorms during a five-hour operation to help a walker who fell from a ridge on England’s third-highest mountain.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 1.30pm on Wednesday after the 58-year-old man fell from Striding Edge.

The man took a tumbling fall from the ridge close to the spot known as the ‘bad step’, towards Nethermost Cove.

The Great North Air Ambulance airlifted some team members to the summit of Helvellyn after dropping its doctor and paramedic close-by. They then made their way to the fallen walker.

A team spokesperson said: “Other members of Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team along with colleagues from Penrith Mountain Rescue Team made their way on foot to the injured gentleman.

“The man was assessed by a doctor and given pain relief. The team then lowered the male down through difficult terrain to the valley bottom where the casualty was picked up by the Great North Air Ambulance for transfer to the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle.

“Conditions on this rescue were sometimes difficult given the thunder and lightning storms that were happening while this rescue was going on.

“The rescue involved 18 team members from Patterdale and Penrith Mountain Rescue Teams along with the vital assistance of the Great North Air Ambulance.”