Broad Stand, scene of the incident. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

A walker has died after falling on England’s second-highest mountain.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team was called out on Wednesday afternoon after the incident on Broad Stand on Scafell.

A team spokesperson said: “The casualty was first attended by a passing doctor and then joined by the crew of the Great North Air Ambulance.”

The Caernarfon Coastguard helicopter also flew to the site and winched the walker’s two companions from rocks above before airlifting mountain rescuers to the site to aid the fallen walker.

The spokesperson said: “Unfortunately the casualty was declared deceased during the rescue. Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this difficult time.”

Broad Stand, a notorious accident blackspot for walkers, is the shortest ascent and descent route between England’s highest and second-highest peaks, but is difficult terrain for those not used to scrambling.

Wasdale MRT says on its website: “Broad Stand is the series of rock steps and slabs which link Scafell to Mickledore on Scafell Pike.

“It has been described as a scramble but has moves of rock-climbing difficulty above large drops and an unforgiving landing, in the event of a fall.

“The rock is often slippy and in winter can retain snow and ice long after it has melted elsewhere. In poor visibility it can be hard to find the correct route which weaves a complex route between Scafell Crag and Scafell East Buttress.”

Lakeland poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge is thought to have been an early explorer of the route. It is believed he may have descended Broad Stand in 1802.

A safer descent for walkers can be made by heading east from the summit of Scafell or south-east from Symonds Knott to Foxes Tarn, from where a less exposed gully leads to the Mickledore path on the Eskdale side of the massif.