The Coastguard helicopter and rescuers at the scene on Striding Edge. Photo: Patterdale MRT

A walker was airlifted to hospital from Helvellyn after suffering serious leg injuries when he fell from Striding Edge.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team said the operation to treat the man and evacuate him from the mountain was technical and difficult.

The team was alerted at 12.45pm on Thursday to reports the walker had fallen 30ft from the ridge.

A team spokesperson said: “The team leader initiated an immediate response. Due to the location and seriousness of the injury, a Coastguard rescue helicopter was tasked with winching capabilities from Caernarfon. The Great North Air Ambulance was also tasked with immediate medical care on board.

“Team members were deployed onto the fell and made their way onto Striding Edge. As they were approaching Red Tarn area the Coastguard arrived on scene and winched their paramedic down to the casualty site.

“The aircraft landed at Red Tarn and flew four team members up onto the ridge with ropes and technical equipment to make the area safe. Due to the steep terrain and the location of the casualty a rope system was set up to haul the casualty back up onto the ridge where he was given medical treatment from the medical teams on scene.”

The man was given pain relief and stabilised before being flown to a major trauma hospital for further treatment.

Team leader Mike Rippon said: This was a difficult and technical rescue due to the location and nature of the man’s injuries, and our thanks go to the Coastguard and Helimed 58 for their quick response.”

While the rescue was underway, Patterdale MRT received another call for help after an elderly walker was reported to be exhausted and unable to carry on descending the fell above the Seldom Seen hamlet near Glenridding.

The spokesperson said: “The team leader contacted the male who was walking with his friend and established there were no injuries – he was just tired and exhausted.

“A team vehicle was sent from base and collected the two males who had by this time rested and made their way slowly down to meet the team Land Rover.

“They were driven back to their own vehicle where they made their way back home.”