The Great North Air Ambulance at the scene. Photo: GNAAS

A walker was airlifted to hospital after suffering a serious head injury in a fall on a Lake District mountainside.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team responded after the man slipped and tumbled a considerable distance from the path between Sty Head and Wasdale.

The Great North Air Ambulance was also scrambled and was first on the scene about 3.30pm on Monday and dropped the service’s doctor and paramedic at the site before finding a safe landing zone further down the mountain.

Rescue team members then joined the team volunteers in stabilising the walker.

The Prestwick Coastguard helicopter also flew to the scene and winched the injured man and the air ambulance crew onboard and to the helicopter which had landed on ground overlooking Styhead Tarn.

A GNAAS spokesperson said: “After further treatment there, the man was then flown to the major trauma centre at Royal Preston Hospital.

“He was in a serious condition on arrival. Thanks to everyone involved in the rescue and to the public for continuing to support us.”