The Patterdale team completed its 100th callout. Photo: Patterdale MRT

Rescuers in Patterdale completed their 100th callout of the year at the weekend when they went to the aid of an injured hillwalker.

Police contacted the team on Saturday evening after they received a 999 call from a man who had suffered an ankle injury just below Dove Crag.

A Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team spokesperson said: “The gentleman had been walking with his friends and had tripped, injuring his ankle earlier in the day.

“Their route had taken them over both Helvellyn and Fairfield and, while the gentleman had managed to continue despite the discomfort and pain, it wasn’t until they were descending down into Dovedale that it became too much and he was unable to continue.”

Unable to raise the alarm by phone because of poor mobile coverage, two of the walker’s companions made their way down to Sykeside campsite to call for help.

The spokesperson said: “Ten team members responded to the incident and quickly located the casualty.

“After stabilising his ankle with a splint, and with some assistance, the male was able to slowly walk down to the team Land Rovers. He was then driven to Sykeside to be reunited with his friends for a well earned pint and their overnight camp.”

The spokesperson said 2024 had been busier than usual for the team.

Reinforcing the statement, the volunteers were called out again the following day. Cumbria Constabulary contacted Patterdale MRT about 11.15am to request their help with a walker who had fallen while walking between Red Screes and Scandale Pass.

The spokesperson said: “On speaking to the informant the duty leader established that the male, who had been solo walking with his dog, had slipped and heard a loud crack from his left ankle and could not put any weight onto it.”

The team was called out and made their way on foot up Caiston Glen to the scene.

“Once at scene the male was examined, given strong pain relief, his ankle was splinted and he was then placed into a casualty bag to keep warm and stretchered off the hill down into Scandale,” the spokesperson said.

“As this was the quickest and easiest route off, two team members from Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue drove their Land Rovers along with one of Patterdale’s as far up Scandale as possible and made their way on foot to meet the stretcher party.

“Once at the vehicles the casualty was loaded into a Land Rover ambulance and transported down to Low Fold rescue base in Ambleside. From here the male was collected by his parents to be taken to hospital for further treatment.”

The six-hour rescue involved 13 Patterdale team members and two from the Langdale Ambleside team. The spokesperson added: “Thanks to Langdale Ambleside for their assistance and we wish the casualty a speedy recovery.”