Team members tend to the injured walker on Carl Side. Photo: Keswick MRT
Lake District rescuers have warned that police may attend incidents during lockdown to check on any possible breaches of rules.
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team said, because Cumbria is covered by tier-four restrictions, the county’s police force has informed them officers may investigate when the team is called out.
Under government regulations passed in December, people in tier-four areas must not leave their homes without reasonable excuse, one of which is to take exercise outdoors alone or with members of their household, or with one other person.
Guidance from the Westminster Government says travel for outdoor exercise should be done locally wherever possible, but people can travel a short distance within their tier-four area to do so if necessary, for example, to access an open space.
The Keswick team was called out for the first time this year on Sunday. A 20-year-old woman was descending Carl Side on the Skiddaw massif when she slipped on an icy path and suffered a bad ankle injury.
A member of her group called 999 and requested mountain rescue help.
A team spokesperson said: “Fortunately Keswick team vehicles were able to access the forest roads up Dodd and it was only a short walk to the woman.
“After providing pain relief the ankle was reduced and she was stretchered down a narrow and awkward path to the team vehicles. She was then transported to an ambulance waiting at the car park at the bottom of Dodd.”
The two-hour incident involved 15 Keswick MRT volunteers.
SteveT
04 January 2021I understand the intention but if someone in trouble is dissuaded from calling for help because they worry about being met by the police then this could be counter-productive.
redsulike
04 January 2021MR work under the auspices of the police and are called by the police to attend. What a waste of time and resources. What now if someone would not call MR because they are afraid of prosecution by the police and subsequently become injured or worse?
TH
04 January 2021Easier to ticket someone hopping on one leg rather than running or driving away at speed.
Colin
04 January 2021Given what's been announced this evening, I'm wondering how many people will continue to travel to the national parks to walk.
And, if they'll actually get fined for doing so.
Nigel
04 January 2021Understand why this may be justified, but IMHO not the wisest policy. Having worked in pre hospital care for over 30 yrs, my experience is that punative measures/barriers for people in crisis requiring help as a result of their behaviour (illegal or otherwise) doesn't work. In fact they probably encourage people not to seek help earlier and ultimately increase risks to themselves and rescuers?
PD
05 January 2021Regardless of tonight’s announcement some people will still travel to the national parks as good decision making isn’t at a premium at the moment , keep yourself and others safe by doing the right thing
Outraged.
07 January 2021Crazy! What if someone doesn’t call for rescue because of this and dies?
Phil
08 February 2021Nobody wants to read or hear about an injured person being afraid to call for help in an emergency, and contrary to what I'm saying I hope they do ask for help should the situation arise. However, during this lockdown and travel restrictions if people do leave home to journey many miles to climb the peaks they know they should not be there in the first place. If you stick to the rules you won't need to call the MRT out because you won't be there, to begin with!!! On Saturday an MRT volunteer fell and has sustained life-changing injuries whilst rescuing campers on Red Screes at Kirkstone pass. I am sure his family is not complementing the rescued gentleman for doing the right thing and calling their loved one and his team out.