Rescuers at the scene of the crash in Whinlatter Forest. Photo: Keswick MRT

A mountain biker was airlifted to hospital after suffering serious injuries when she came off her machine on a Lake District route.

The 26-year-old rider was involved in a high-speed crash in Whinlatter Forest on Friday, injuring her back, face and chest.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 1.50pm after the incident on the red route at the popular venue. A team spokesperson said: “The team mobilised swiftly and two vehicles attended.

“An ambulance crew was guided to the scene, and her injuries were assessed by the crew. At this point, a request was made for the assistance of the Great North Air Ambulance. While it was en route the casualty was placed in a vacuum mattress, and stretchered down to the ambulance.

“Fortunately, the air ambulance was able to land fairly close by, and after a swift assessment it was decided the young lady should be flown to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for further treatment.”

The callout involved 16 volunteer members and lasted almost 2¼ hours.

The previous day, nine Keswick MRT members were involved in the rescue of a couple on a fell who got into difficulties.

The team spokesperson said: “A couple walking along the Ullock Pike ridge mistook the parish boundary marked on the map as a footpath, and descended towards Dodd Wood.

“They got into some very difficult ground with thick vegetation, and became lost. The team sent out a small group to find them, which took some time as they had strayed north towards the Ravenstone Hotel, into Sandbeds Gill.

“Eventually one of the team’s search dog handlers got a sight of them, and search dog Rona then confirmed where they were. They were helped back up on to the ridge, and then walked off to the Ravenstone Hotel, where a team vehicle was on hand to transport them to their car at Dodd Wood.”

Keswick team members needed a little detective work to find a long-distance walker who had got into difficulties on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old was tackling the Coast to Coast Walk with two friends when she became ill on the path leading to Greenup Edge near the Fairy Glen near Stonethwaite.

The team spokesperson said: “A couple came across the three, and phoned in for assistance.

“Unfortunately, details were sketchy, and the deputy team leader had to do a bit of detective work, before a local team member met the informants, and the location was clarified. An ambulance crew arrived, and she was assessed, and then team members were able to walk her a short distance to the Land Rover.

“She was driven to the ambulance which was parked in Stonethwaite village, and after treatment and advice was discharged. The group decided to make their way into Keswick, and the team was able to offer them a lift into town.”

Eleven team members were involved, for 2¼ hours.