Christian Unsworth with, from left, GNAAS paramedic Sarah Graham, pilot Phil Lambert, paramedic Andy Dalton and doctor Theo Weston

A man who suffered multiple serious injuries when he fell 100ft on the Coniston Fells returned to thank the air ambulance that came to his rescue.

Christian Unsworth was hiking above Coppermines Valley on Christmas Eve last year when he lost his footing and fell to the bottom of Grey Crag.

The 25-year-old from Wigan in Greater Manchester, suffered a broken pelvis, back, and sternum, a punctured lung, and a large cut above his left eye in the fall.

Mr Unsworth, who suffers from ataxia, a neurological condition which can affect co-ordination, balance and speech, was spotted by a couple who saw him fall and rushed to help him.

They rang for the emergency services and Coniston Mountain Rescue Team went to his aid, shortly followed by the Great North Air Ambulance Service crew.

He said: “I was having a walk and I thought, ‘Oh I’ll do a shortcut’ and shortcuts are not always the best to do, and it led me to have a fall.”

He was assessed by both teams and given pain relief before being placed in a vacuum mattress and stretchered off the fellside to the air ambulance.

Mr Unsworth was airlifted to hospital

Mr Unsworth was then flown to the Royal Preston Hospital and underwent a back operation to help him walk again.

After spending two-and-a-half weeks in hospital and missing out on the Christmas festivities he was transferred to his local hospital in Wigan before finally returning home to continue his recovery.

Christian’s father Ian Unsworth said: “We’d gone out for a meal, and we’d told him not to go out walking, but he didn’t listen. When we got back my partner’s relative told me he’d had a fall, but we didn’t think it was going to be that serious.

“He’s had a couple of pins put in his back and he’s walking okay now and is back on his bike. He’s young which has probably helped him recover so well.”

Since the incident Mr Unsworth and his family have visited the GNAAS base at Langwathby and thanked the pilot, doctor and paramedics who came to his aid.

Mr Unsworth added: “GNAAS do a fantastic job. They do amazing work. Without them, people would end up dying. They’re an amazing team.”

Donations to the air ambulance charity can be made via the Great North Air Ambulance Service website.