Rescuers at the scene in the gully on Sharp Edge. Photo: Keswick MRT
A man was seriously injured when he fell from Sharp Edge on Blencathra.
He was ascending the ridge on Wednesday with his son on Wednesday when he slipped and fell most of the way down the north gully.
A member of the public witnessed the incident and called emergency services.
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was alerted about 1.40pm and the Great North Air Ambulance Service flew to the scene.
A Keswick MRT spokesperson said a doctor from GNAAS was airlifted to the scene within a short time.
“In the meantime the son had scrambled down to help his father as best as he could,” the spokesperson said. “The air ambulance then returned to Mousthwaite Combe and picked up several Keswick team members taking them to the casualty site.
“While the medical team were treating the man’s serious injuries Coastguard helicopter support was requested to winch the casualty out of the gully. Unfortunately this plan had to be abandoned due to turbulent wind conditions.”
The injured man was secured in a stretcher and lowered by the team to a safe area and placed in the air ambulance, which flew him to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne for further treatment.
The 3½-hour rescue involved 14 volunteers from Keswick MRT.
EPJ
22 October 2020Why don't we put an Alpine style steel cable at this precarious spot. How many more have to be killed or injured on this increasingly polished bit of rock for the sake of a "pure" mountain experience!
Mike Sweeting
22 October 2020I know.Let's have a staircase. Better still, an escalator, in case somebody gets angina.
Fell Judge
22 October 2020Another outdoor enthusiast exceeding their capabilities.
Jfh
22 October 2020Anyone however experienced can slip.
AR
23 October 2020Sharp edge at this time of year isn’t the best idea but I hope he’s okay.
Wendy Davis
23 October 2020Fell Judge - how do you know his capabilities? I do and he is very experienced.
Huffenpuff Uphill
23 October 2020Blustery conditions are the devil on Sharp Edge even when the conditions are dry and must add an extra hazardous and unpredictable element when the rock is wet.
Mike
25 October 2020Because EPJ its up to the individual to make their own judgement about risk. Thats why not. Dying or being seriously injured on the fells is actually extremely rare given the amount of activity that actually happens on the fells. Literally milions of visits every year pass without incident. You only have to take one look at Sharp Edge to see that it is hazardous at all times and dangerous at some times. Its not compulsory to go there and there are many other ways up that particular hill. I wish the chap well and it must have been very tough for his son to deal with. And well done, as ever, to MRT.
A different Mike
26 October 2020Pure accidents can and will happen, to even the most experienced. Along with many other reasons, the degree of risk and challenge is why many of us head up onto the hills, often via the more adventurous routes and in all weathers. Aids and signs could cause more issues by encouraging the less experienced to venture unreasonably beyond their capabilities. Who will be blamed for the calamity when the handrail breaks, the route sign is torn down, a marker post is uprooted?