Rescuers battle to keep the shelter in place as gales lash the fell. Photo: Keswick MRT

A woman was rescued in an operation lasting four hours after she was blown off her feet while walking on a Lake District fell.

Two teams went to the walker’s aid when she suffered hip and head injuries in the incident on Friday as Storm Ellen battered the area.

A couple set off from Honister towards Great Gable but winds strengthened to a point where they decided to retreat when they reached Gillercomb Head, between Brandreth and Green Gable.

A spokesperson for Keswick Mountain Rescue Team said: “Shortly after starting the descent one of the party was blown off her feet and injured her hip and head on some rocks.”

The team was called out about 1.55pm. The spokesperson said: “A call for help was routed through to the Cockermouth team who asked Keswick to support with a stretcher carry.”

A Coastguard helicopter that was in the area after responding to an earlier incident went to investigate a possible landing near to the casualty but due to low cloud and a strong, gusty wind had to abandon the attempt.

Both teams parked up on the mine track above Honister and made their way in difficult conditions to the site near a group of tarns on Gillercomb Head.

Rescuers manoeuvre the stretcher down the difficult terrain at Sourmilk Gill. Photo: Keswick MRT

The Keswick MRT spokesperson said: “The casualty was dressed for the conditions, but was getting colder. A storm shelter was used as protection while the casualty was treated and pain relief provided.

“She was then packaged on a stretcher ready for the evacuation. Although returning back to the Honister mine was a shorter route it would have been hazardous due to the strong gusts. A decision was therefore made to sledge the stretcher down some grassy slopes into Gillercomb, and out of the wind. From Gillercomb there was a tricky descent down the path next to Sourmilk Gill to Seathwaite in Borrowdale.

“Much muscle was involved in manhandling the stretcher down awkward rocky steps but eventually the team made the handover to the ambulance at Seathwaite.”

The Keswick team was also involved in an earlier incident in which two men ended up in the water and being blown by gales after their canoe capsized on Derwent Water.

A member of the public called emergency services after seeing the pair swimming in the lake between St Herbert’s Island and Rampsholme Island.

The rescue boat in action on Derwent Water. Photo: Keswick MRT

The team spokesperson said: “The two drifted fast downwind in the gale-force winds and large waves and eventually ended up washed up on Lord’s Island.

“A Keswick MRT member who works at Derwentwater Marina took a rescue boat direct to the island to pick up the casualties and bring them to shore at Stable Hills.”

The rescue team was called out about 12.30pm along with police, fire and ambulance crews in case they were needed. The Coastguard helicopter also flew to the area.

The spokesperson said: “Besides being a little chilly after a long swim the casualties were unharmed.”