The cyclist's body was found after a search on the headwall of Helvellyn. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

The body of a man has been found on Helvellyn after a major search involving rescue teams from across Cumbria.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was alerted shortly before 9pm on Sunday when the man’s wife contacted police.

A team spokesperson said she had been tracking her husband’s progress and noticed his position hadn’t changed for a few hours.

“Contact was made with the informant and it was established that the man was probably out on his bicycle with his black labrador. This assumption was confirmed when the police were able to confirm that his vehicle was still at the holiday property in the Grasmere area where he had been staying.”

Patterdale team members were called out, along with colleagues from Langdale Ambleside and Keswick MRTs. The volunteer rescuers searched various routes leading up to the location of the phone, close to the summit of the mountain.

Three search dogs and handlers joined the operation and the Prestwick Coastguard search and rescue helicopter flew to the area and made several attempt to reach the scene, but was thwarted by low cloud and high winds.

The Patterdale MRT spokesperson said: “At about one in the morning, battling atrocious weather conditions, Patterdale and Keswick team members managed to reach the location identified and found the man’s bike and phone, close to the edge of the summit plateau. However there was no sign of the man or his dog.

“At around 1.30am, with weather conditions deteriorating further, the difficult decision was made to call off the search until first light for the safety of the team members involved. The last party cleared the fell at about 3.30am.”

The search resumed at 8am on Monday, with Patterdale MRT members joined by volunteers from the Penrith, Cockermouth and Kirkby Stephen teams, after being briefed on the incident. The rescuers made their way to the summit plateau again.

The Patterdale MRT spokesperson said: “A rope system was set up to enable them to descend the headwall down towards Red Tarn and search the area where the man was suspected to be.

“A Coastguard SAR helicopter again attempted to access the area to assist with the search but due to conditions was still unable to help and landed at Patterdale.

“In the late morning it was confirmed that the dog had been found alive and well on a ledge on the headwall and shortly afterwards rescuers lowered down to the area found the man and confirmed that he had died as a result of the injuries sustained in his fall of around 180 metres.

“The man’s body was lowered by stretcher to the back of Red Tarn, then carried down to Greenside and transported back to Patterdale base where it was handed over to Cumbria police.

“The whole incident took 20 hours to complete over two days and involved Patterdale, Keswick, Langdale Ambleside, Cockermouth, Penrith and Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team members, three Lake District Search And Rescue Dogs and two Coastguard SAR helicopters.

“In total 68 MRT rescue personnel were involved over the two days.

“We would like to send our condolences to the man’s family and friends and our thanks to the various teams and helicopter crews who assisted with the search and subsequent recovery.”