The air ambulance at the scene. Photo: Keswick MRT

A walker was airlifted from a Lake District mountain after suffering head and neck injuries in a fall.

The 71-year-old was with his wife on Hindscarth on Friday when the incident happened.

She was able to call 999 and request mountain rescue help. Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was alerted about 12.30pm.

A team spokesperson said: “A Keswick team member who is an air ambulance doctor received our callout message and indicated that the [Great North Air Ambulance Service] air ambulance was available and could attend if required.

Rescuers tend to the injured walker. Photo: Keswick MRT

“Considering the man’s potential injuries, the air ambulance was called and arrived on scene shortly before team members. The man’s injuries were assessed and pain relief given before the casualty was stretchered to the air ambulance just a few hundred metres away for onward transfer to hospital.”

The three-hour rescued involved 18 Keswick MRT members.

The previous day, the team was called out to one of its fell ‘blackspots’ when a walker became stuck on steep ground.

The spokesperson said: “A man was ascending Barf by one of the original, and particularly unpleasant, paths to the summit.

The rescue scene on Barf. Photo: Keswick MRT

“Having made some progress he ended up in a precarious position in loose steep scree. Deciding not to attempt going up into steeper terrain and concerned about descending he made a wise decision to call for help.

“Several team members attended and were able to rope-assist him down to the base of the hill.

“As this is an accident black spot a much better and safer way up is on the path beside Beckstones Gill.”

Ten team members took part in the incident, which lasted 1¾ hours.