The rescue scene on Hartsop Above How. Photo: Patterdale MRT

A walker was airlifted from a Lake District fell after becoming exhausted in snowy conditions.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was alerted by police at 2pm on Sunday after passing walkers came across the man on Hartsop Above How.

The team said the man, in his 70s, was cold and exhausted and had lost his route. He had set off from Ambleside at 9am, planning a circular walk.

“When he was located he did not have the strength to continue in the deep snowy conditions,” a Patterdale MRT spokesperson said. “Initially the passers-by had attempted to assist him off the fell. However after a while the exhausted and very cold walker was unable to stand up or move.”

Team members were called out and a request made for help from a Coastguard helicopter because of the high risk of hypothermia. “Due to deep snow on the ground it took 1½ hours for the team to reach the casualty. In the meantime a Coastguard helicopter which had been dispatched from Caernarfon also arrived in the area. However due to the low cloud [it] was unable to land anywhere near the scene.

“The helicopter diverted to land at the Patterdale base waiting for a break in the weather.

“Meanwhile the cold casualty was wrapped in a casualty bag with heat packs and a vapour barrier to prevent further heat loss and he was put on a stretcher. The team then set off hauling the stretcher through the snow to evacuate the casualty off the fell.”

The spokesperson said deep snow and difficult terrain made progress very slow.

“Fortunately the Coastguard crew, who had been following progress, decided to attempt a second landing and this time were successful. The casualty was then flown to Carlisle hospital for further treatment.

“Needless to say the team are very grateful to the Coastguard crew who recognised the difficult conditions the team were operating in and who stood by patiently until they could assist.”