The Coastguard helicopter at the incident. Photo: Keswick MRT

A teenager in search of thrills on a Lake District attraction had a bigger adventure than planned when he had to be rescued.

The 13-year-old was on a guided trip with his family on the Honister via ferrata when he injured himself.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 11.15am on Sunday to the incident on the crags of Fleetwith Pike.

A team spokesperson said: “On the final steep section he slipped and, despite the safety system, fell a short distance hurting his chest.

“The guide reported the incident and looked after the boy while the Keswick MR team was dispatched.

A rescue team member approaches the scene over the wire bridge. Photo: Keswick MRT

“On arrival some team members crossed the wire bridge to get to the casualty site while others made their way up to the exit of the via ferrata. The team doctor assessed the boy and provided some pain relief. In the meantime options for an extraction were considered.

“As there was loose rock in the vicinity it could have been risky to lower a stretcher from above so a Coastguard helicopter was requested which flew in close and winched the boy up and then made their way to Carlisle hospital.”

The spokesperson said the team understood the boy suffered some bruising to his ribs but is making a good recovery. “He probably wasn’t expecting quite as much adventure when signing up for the via ferrata.”

The incident lasted four hours and involved 23 team members.

A via ferrata is a system, first used in the Alps, of fixed protection on climbing routes, including steel ropes and ladders, that enable a climber to clip in and limit any fall.