Rescuers and the Coastguard helicopter at the scene. Photo: Keswick MRT

A walker was airlifted to hospital after injuring his leg on a Lake District mountain.

A passer-by raised the alarm after the incident on High Spy.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 1.10pm on Sunday.

A team spokesperson said: “Two men were walking the path from High Spy to Dalehead Tarn when one of the men’s microspikes somehow snagged during a slip, causing a significant ankle injury.

“This was in an area with no mobile reception but a passing walker descended to the valley floor and raised the alarm.

“By the time Keswick team arrived the man was very cold despite good winter walking clothing. An inspection of the ankle revealed a very bad break requiring a rapid evacuation and so Coastguard helicopter support was requested.”

Cloud cover at the rescue site prevented the helicopter flying direct to the scene, so team members gave the man pain relief and packaged him in heat blankets before stretchering him down to an area with good enough visibility for the helicopter to winch him into the aircraft.

The crew then flew him to hospital for further treatment.

The rescue involved 20 Keswick MRT volunteers and lasted just over 4¾ hours.