I am livid about this. The poor rescuer has life changing injuries because two flaming idiots not only broke the rules and went wild camping, but in February ffs. £200 fine is pathetic, they should be prosecuted.

My thought are:

1 - I really hope the injured rescuer makes a full recovery

2 - The 2 campers will be giving a sigh of relief that the 'got off lightly' with a £200 fine.

3 - If the rescuer does end up with life changing injuries the 2 campers will have that on their minds for the rest of their lives and that would be a terrible thing to have to live with. They'll regret their actions and do something to help make amends.
3a - On second thoughts they didn't give a shite about anyone else when they came here so they probably aren't too bothered about the consequences of their actions.

Makes me so angry that these people come here to camp when the campsites are closed and end up falling because they're on top of a mountain in the dark.

All those injuries and a £200 fine. I hope he learns his lesson.

Name and Shame these iresposible idiots. This country is too soft.

selfish beyond belief. as a former fell rescue team member i wish the lad a speedy recovery.

A shame that under these circumstances, calling out MR doesn't constitute organizing an illegal party and a £10K fine.

Best wishes to the injured rescuer.

We can only hope that those involved donate a much larger sum and learn. Maybe some good can come from this. I am so sorry for the MR team and can't say how much we appreciate each and every one of them across the country. Thank you all. I know what it's like to lose a close family member and see a friend wheelchair bound, so understand the trauma but there is a way through, one day at a time. I know these are just words but thank you and prayers for a recovery to the team member and comfort for the family and friends.

It's not about naming and shaming as these 2 are just idiots.
A £200 fine for these idiots & a £200 fine for a Newcastle football player who has an haircut & doesn't get punished by his club. It's no wonder Covid19 isn't being taken serious by our youth and others.
It doesn't matter if your Alan Hinkes or Joe Smith once you've committed yourself to going up there during this serious national health situation you've committed yourself to getting out of danger yourself. Just like if you go into the Ballot Box you've committed yourself to accepting the result whether it's Brexit or Blair in an election and you shouldn't moan afterwards just like these two should not have called the Mountain Rescue for assistance in early February up high on Red Scees because one has got chest pains! Lazy and selfish! The rescuer is still in hospital whilst the lazy man with an able friend didn't make any attempt to get off the fell himself. These two from different parts of the country who shared a car ride and attempted to stay overnight were probably in the process of making a YouTube video showing what heroes they are camping out in February. It's a shame that we can't find their YouTube account to see who these 2 heroes/zeros are.

Under normal circumstances, this incident would be classed as an unfortunate accident. However when we are told not to travel and choose to ignore the instruction then my sympathies are with the chap from the MRT and his family, and I sincerely hope he fully recovers from his injuries.
The team should not have been out rescuing people in the first place. During these lockdowns, I have seen many pictures of people standing on top of Helvellyn or Sca Fell pike posing as intrepid mountaineers. What they really are are irresponsible show-offs who have no respect for the local people the MRT and the rules of the country. Nobody is more experienced than the top mountaineer Mr. Alan Hinks, he regularly walks and climbs in the Lake District however I would be amazed to hear that he had visited the area until the lockdown was eased.
To the gentleman who had a heart attack, I do hope you recover and go on to repay the heroism of the injured rescuer and his team.

This is a tragic incident.

That said, it seems to me that there's an inability by many commentators to separate what is a very unfortunate mountain accident with the breaking of Covid / lockdown laws.

Yes, of course, had these people followed the law, they would not have been on the mountain - but other than that, this could have happened at any time. No one would want to name and shame them or wish them ill.

Reminds me of a video from Spain of a woman who went out for run during the first lockdown. She was tackled to the ground by the police and treated very roughly. Onlookers were screaming obscenities at her. No sympathy at all. They revelled in seeing a rule breaker savaged.

I am lucky enough to live in a rural area with hills. I can, and do spend many hours out of the house most days. I can't imagine what life would be like to be stuck in a city. I am sure I would also be tempted to go into the hills to get away - especially knowing that in reality, I would be no more likely to spread a disease than if I went to the shops.

Good luck with your faithful support of the lockdowns. The largest peacetime propaganda exercise in history has been largely successful, it seems.

The selfish and inconsiderate actions of people travelling outside their area is totally unacceptable under the current circumstances. One of the campers already had a record of heart complaints. To go camping in the worst weather so far this winter under those circumstances beggars belief.
Although they could not predict they would have a medical emergency does not excuse them from their irresponsible actions that put volunteer mountain rescuers at risk.
The simple truth is if they had not been there this terrible accident to their rescuer would never have happened.
I wish the injured mountain rescue member a swift and full recovery.

Well done Simon for being the voice of reason.
Instead of mindlessly critising people who break the rules more people should question whether the rules are proportionate and have any effect on reducing the spread of Covid.
People have fought for at least 100 years for the right and freedom to enjoy the hills and mountains, sometimes breaking the law in the process, i.e. the Kinder mass trespass. Should those brave individuals who stood up for our rights be applauded or condemned as irresponsible rule breakers? Just because something is written in law doesn't make it right or just. I reckon some of those brave individuals involved in the Kinder trespass must be turning in their graves having seen how easily our hard won rights can be taken away.

The same selfish and inconsiderate people who have to travel for work every single day so you can can get your food, drink , clothes and essential Amazon/e-bay orders. Without these people the economy would crash and you would be queuing for rations. Work hard all week, treated like vermin on a day off , then judged, sentenced and executed by keyboard warriors. Yeah those guys make me sick as well. Now start the chant “Build a wall” you mini Trump wannabes!

Hoping the MRT member makes a full and lasting recovery.

@Simon. I also do not like the current situation either. I can't see my mother or my son, never mind go for a walk. My wife is working 12 hour shifts on Saturday & Sunday at the Mass Vaccination centre in Ulverston. My friend's Father and 54 year old brother have both died this week from Covid. Just propaganda though eh?

Although I now live in the Lakes and love walking I have not ventured anywhere other than out of my front door. As for not coming into contact then you need to consider the following;

1) Every unnecessary car journey is a potential accident on the way to or from your walk. All leading to the use of resources and contact with other people.
2) A journey from somewhere distant like let's say Leicester is likely to involve stopping for fuel or coffee. Yet more contact.
3) As I stated on another story last week, you may get out of your car and stand unnecessarily next to a person asking for directions, yet more uninvited contact.
4) You may be here in your camper van not bothering anybody else yet have gone into my local butchers and the bakers next door(I have seen this with my own eyes) for your provisions.
5) Our "local" hospitals are small(due to the relative population) and it would be nice to not have them full of self righteous, know it all tourists.
6) People move the virus. Less movement of people means less movement of the virus. Not rocket science is it?

Odds of something happening are low but if you don't make that journey then the odds are Zero!!!

When I used to live in East Lancashire I could always find somewhere to walk especially during Winter without always having to drive somewhere. It is also a great opportunity to explore areas right under your own nose.

The sooner everyone just does as they are asked the quicker we can all get this done and back to normal.

#Che lives

After reading your comment I'm sure lots of people on here will be very concerned about your wellbeing. We're all in a difficult situation at the moment but it must be especially hard for those of you who use a keyboard to offload your 'issues'.

Although it's easier to find a unicorn than get GP appointment at the moment, it might be worth trying to see if your Doctor could put you in touch with someone trained to deal with your problems.

#is this the path to...

So because someone has put something you don’t agree with you accuse them of having metal issues. If you really believed that then you would/should just ignore my post and not try to goad me with your passive aggressive form of online bullying.
So before you judge someone who you know nothing about please think of how a person with mental health issues may take it.
The previous post is my opinion and mine alone. I did not make threats or single out any one person, I did not ask to be engaged in conversation. I let off a little steam just like everyone else has . Please don’t single me out again

#Che lives

eh, what, where did all that come from? I never accused you of anything.

THe selfishness of the wild campers was the underlying reason for the accident. The accident would not have happened if they had stayed near home as they are supposed to.
They ignored the rules, which are well advertised. They obviously thought it did not apply to them. The result was a seriously injured man.
Do people realise that team members are NOT paid and also pay their own expenses and in some cases may have to take unpaid time off work.
They also have to raise money for buildings, all equipment and vehicles.
NO money comes from the government.
Teams do not have to turn out BUT they do. Not everyone is grateful for their help and some have been known to claim later that no help was needed.
Yes enjoy the fells, but remember the rules.

Before I get to the point, I will let you all know that I have kept off the fells during this lockdown, as it seems the right thing to do in these extreme circumstances. Also, I condemn the actions of the two people involved.

Unfortunately, there is no limit in current law as to how far you can travel for exercise, as it is only in the Government guidance, which is non-enforceable. Government legislation is law, which is enforcable.

The fine they received might have been for sharing transport with someone from another household, sharing accommodation with a person from another household, or having an overnight stay without a reasonable excuse. All three could've resulted in a fine, as they are in the Government legislation.

In my opinion, the Government need to impose a travel lockdown similar to that imposed in March, i.e. exercised allowed from home, but no travelling for exercise. It would make it easier to police. If you feel strongly enough, you could contact your local MP.

Disappointing to see people jump on the 'anti-exercise' bandwagon. By insisting people stay 'ultra-local', you're increasing the likelihood they won't even bother. Exercise and sunshine are good for the immune system, weight loss improves Covid outcomes, the activity and pleasant surroundings help with anxiety, and a break from partners helps with tension. People are seeking to negate all of these health benefits because of obsession with one, admittedly serious, illness - and yet many of those benefits positively help with Covid. Outdoor transmission is of negligible significance, overall - which is why it subsided last summer, mass hysteria over beaches notwithstanding. World's gone mad!

Disappointing to see people jump on the 'anti-exercise' bandwagon. By insisting people stay 'ultra-local', you're increasing the likelihood they won't even bother. Exercise and sunshine are good for the immune system, weight loss improves Covid outcomes, the activity in pleasant surroundings helps with anxiety, and a break from partners helps with domestic tension. People are seeking to negate all of these health benefits because of obsession with one, admittedly serious, illness - and yet many of those benefits positively help with Covid. Outdoor transmission is of negligible significance, overall - which is why it subsided last summer, mass hysteria over beaches notwithstanding. European countries with severe exercise limitation have fared little better. People would have us wear a groove like caged polar bears, to no net benefit. World's gone mad!

#Ian S Absolutely not. There are too many benefits to exercise - many of which positively help individuals deal with both Covid and lockdown. Outdoor transmission is of minor significance, overall - which is why it subsided last summer, mass hysteria over beaches notwithstanding. People should get outside more, not less. European countries with severe exercise limitation have fared little better. Folk would have us wear a groove like caged polar bears, to no net benefit. There is reasonable ground between travelling hundreds of miles, and beating us back home with sticks!

#Ian S This seems absurd, and disappointing to see in an outdoor page. Outdoor exercise is beneficial for immunity, improving Covid outcomes, and making lockdown sustainable, while being cooped up indoors with other people is not. There is little evidence of outdoor transmission, but it makes even less sense to insist everyone tramp their local, busy streets.

The more time people spend outside, the better, contrary to the common presumptions. Respiratory disease subsides in the summer months for exactly these reasons, while other European countries taking a hard line on outdoor exercise have fared little better than us.

This is not about whether we are allowed to exercise or not, we are. These two had travelled from Leicester and Liverpool and were STAYING OVERNIGHT which is not allowed at this stage. Having said that I totally disagree with lockdown for anybody who is under 60 and reasonably healthy. Don't see why we all have to be imprisoned for a disease that has only killed 2.34 million of a massive bloated world population of 7.674 billion. It really is a drop in the ocean. If the UK population looked after itself a bit more instead of smoking drinking and getting obese fewer of us would be getting ill.

Well said Sid, what a refreshing change to see some common sense on here instead of the usual knee-jerk ill informed posts.

I agree with Dark Sid. The local streets may be unsuited to exercise. Cars to run you over, maybe muggers and worst to assail young women.

I have been in effective self isolation working from home but my DIL who works from my breakfast room, went running every morning up the streets to the top of town. Then she complained about sore throat and such and couldnt eat but was ok but none the less I took her teas and similar restorative. However it turned out she had covid somehow despite her precautions.

Next thing my son, my wife, myself, my lodger and a neighbour who came to our door all had covid. Fairly nasty for some of us.

There is no covid safe environment, only a slightly safer environment. Its not going to go away though will be eased by vaccines (you may still get it but it wont be as bad)

I am lucky I can cycle or even walk to hills, others are not. They are wrong to be tempted out of their districts but probably have nil impact except as a poor example

The travelling two were rightly punished. Beyond that you should save your anger for an admin that could have locked down a year ago and avoided the epidemic as other countries did. And save some anger for those who gaggle in shops and refuse to wear masks - because thats where it is spreading.

Sid, I'm not anti-exercise. I usually get out on the Lakeland fells at least once a week and am missing it desperately. I just think that reducing the ampount of travelling at the moment will reduce significantly the risk of infection.

Marty, my view seems to be the opinion of the medical experts too, but then again you might think they are ill informed too.

Jo, all the people I know who have been and are seriously ill in intensive care are under 60, some in their 20s. Two of my friends are nurses on Covid wards who could really inform you of how naive your comments are. Don't think that just because you're under 60 you're immune.

I'm not saying this applies to you three, as I don't know you, but it seems that the reason most people disagree with a lockdown is that it interferes with what they want to do. There are a lot of selfish people out there.

Nice one Dark Sid,

Exercise is only good if done when fit. no point in covid or illness if not exercising to keep trim. Indoor running is not help when covid in home so outside better not for anything if you are under 60 year old before starting.

The cost of people's deteriorated mental health will be much worse than the minority paying the ultimate price. My mum used to say that you can't wrap everyone up in cotton wool... This is what they are trying to do. This approach will make things much worse in the longer run. Nearly ONE YEAR into this and still NOTHING ELSE exists apart from CV19. I have every sympathy for all of the victims of this but silently we are all going under anyway. They say the lockdown and no travel for exercise is one of the ways to protect the NHS from being overwhelmed. Well, I've watched the news all my adult life and the NHS hospitals are swamped and no beds available at this time of the year, each and every year for as long as I can remember. Only this year, it isn't seasonal flu is it... Flu cases are recorded as being at their lowest level since records began. Also, in terms of making plans to not overwhelm the NHS why were the millions spent on the Nightingales wasted?... Just saying... All for taking precautions and washing our hands / not going to raves, etc.. But life must go out on, it has to. Ps. I used to vote at every opportunity but I vow never to again... Lions led by donkeys on this issue in my opinion. OK, rant over, bring on the frothing bile of responses, I really don't care tbh.

Thanks Rosie Posie

Quite a lot of what you say makes sense but the most interesting and relevant to an outdoor related website is you sharing with us that you're never going to vote again. Yes really useful to know that.

"frothing bile of responses". That's rich after you taking the time to say all that.

My commiserations for the injured rescuer who's paid a hefty price. I think MRT should be stood down for the duration as it is being used as a stick to beat hillgoers with, remove Mountain Rescue allow people to take full responsibility for themselves and let them back up the hills.
I'd suggest people pick a day within their limits and had no interactions with anyone once away from their home area - it's easy enough as I've been doing it for 3 months. Anyone calling MRT (who would probably come out because they're too good for their own good) should pay full, and I mean full, costs.

Overall though, you can't give people you don't meet something you don't have. The virus is allowing people to scapegoat those who won't accept exaggerated and pointless restrictions to their liberty.

As an RNLI crew member who also has 40 odd years of mountaineering experience I suspect MRT teams have a similar outlook to ours in that people need rescue whatever the prevailing medical, social or political climate may be. In that context, standing down is not something that would be seriously considered unless the service offered is at risk of being overwhelmed.

Of course we all wish people would take more care, heed advice, get more information etc. In the current pandemic some elements of risk are heightened and rescues are generally more complex because of additional precautions (PPE etc). But at the end of the day a person is in trouble and we want to get them back to safety.

Volunteering is a decision not taken lightly especially if it involves serious risk and for most of us forms a big part of our lives. I really hope the gentleman concerned is able to return to an active role within MRT as I suspect it has been a big part of his life and it would be a real tragedy if that was taken away.

Hi Catbells From Home, sorry I probably did froth a bit myself about the current situation we all find ourselves in I didn't mean to wind anyone up, I'm just telling it how it is for me at and a lot of other people at the moment. Re. never voting again I'm just being honest and sharing it. This shambles has been completely mishandled from day 1. When this all settles down hopefully I'll be on the fells again which is how I get my mental health and exercise fix. I am staying away from the fells at the moment but struggling to understand how I can't be outside in remote places when I can travel to the office (to pay my taxes) and complete my weekly shop in a busy supermarket. It doesn't really make sense does it. Take care and hoping for better times that's all. All the best.

Jaob, while MRT is being used as a reason to stay off the hills I'd rather MRT stood down, regardless of how MRT members feel about that.
Please do not take this opinion as a slight on MRT members who I have every respect for - and the RNLI. These are strange times but me staying off the hills is not going to make one jot of difference.

I'm with RKey on this!

I want to shake the rescuer by the hand. Going to wild camp was because of mental health and depression.

I want to shake him by the hand. Wild camping was because of mental health and depression.

I know my mental health is starting to suffer whenever I hear people trotting out this 21stC get out of jail free card.

Brett / Pete

It would help if you got someone to check your comments actually make sense before you click the "ADD COMMENT" button.

From a newspaper today. Feel free to comment. I can’t help but concur.
The deaths from Covid have been, across the year, not much more than double the number of excess winter deaths in a bad flue year. We impose no restrictions on the population for seasonal flu, but close society down entirely for Covid. That makes little logical sense. Still less when you add in the 225,000 operations cancelled as a consequence of lockdown.
So who , exactly, is it that we are protecting? Is the plan to create a country in which people die happily of many things, as they always have, but never mercifully of Covid.
Worth a thought. The statistics given by the government are very skewed.
This is probably off piste, and I need to state that I hold MRT in the greatest regard and wish our man all the best. This was an avoidable incident, unfortunately as most are.

Interesting update on the BBC news website.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-56081225

Best wishes to the MRT chap and his colleagues.

We live in a selfish me,me,me society in which 2 totally irresposible people put others at risk,by their idiotic behaviour.
They should be severely punished,in addition to paying for the total cost of their rescue.They should also be named and shamed.

NAME & SHAME

the 2 need to be named and shamed

I think they should be named and shamed,I’m so angry whilst they had no hesitation in calling out the rescue services , did they not think they were selfish and quite frankly idiots £200 should have been fined much more their behaviour is idiotic

Disgust sting behaviour I’m beyond livid , perhaps they should be names and then they can feel the disgust of their neighbours,
Selfish and vile people ,

Police should also have powers bestowed upon them to issue fines for poor spelling and grammar.
I imagine that both of these felons are incapable of placing an appropriate apostrophe.

The Mountain Rescue hero has sadly died