The stretcher party encountered an amphibian on the descent from Sty Head. Photo: Keswick MRT

Rescuers stretchering an injured walker from a Lakeland fell faced an extra amphibian hazard.

The leading Keswick Mountain Rescue Team member twice had to warn colleagues of a frog ahead on the route from Sty Head.

A team spokesperson said: “While carrying the stretcher it is the responsibility of the front person to shout to warn the others about upcoming obstacles: large rocks, drainage ditches and the like. An unusual shout was heard twice on the descent of ‘frog’.”

The team was called out at 6.20pm on Thursday as members were preparing for their weekly training session. A 47-year-old woman had injured her ankle on the descent from Scafell Pike.

The spokesperson said: “With the prospect of a reasonably long stretcher carry and no shortage of team members, three vehicles set out in response. It was the first time we had used the borrowed Edale Mountain Rescue Land Rover – thanks again guys.

“On a beautiful warm late summer evening the team made their way up from Seathwaite towards Sty Head Pass where they found the casualty about 500m short of the tarn.

The woman was strechered down to Seathwaite. Photo: Keswick MRT

“The lady’s injury was assessed and after a box splint had been applied to stabilise her ankle she was assisted onto a stretcher for a carry back down to the valley.”

The rescue lasted almost three hours and involved 23 volunteers from Keswick MRT.

The spokesperson added: “No frogs, or toads, were harmed during this rescue.”