Mountain rescuer is fighting for life in hospital after falling 500ft while trying to reach stranded walker in Lake District who was breaching Covid rules
- Patterdale Mountain Rescue was called to help a camper suffering chest pains
- A volunteer fell 500ft during the rescue attempt, suffering serous injuries
- Cumbria Police say the two male campers were fined for breaching Covid rules
A mountain rescue volunteer suffered serious injuries during a mission to save the life of a camper who ignored Covid rules in the Lake District.
The victim, believed to be in his 60s, was called out with the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team to help a man camping above the Kirkstone Pass suffering chest pains.
But as they were making their way to help, the rescuer fell about 500ft and suffered significant injuries.
The man, thought to be in his 60s, was seriously injured after falling 500ft during a rescue attempt in the Lake District
Patterdale team member Mike Blakey, who is also operational lead for the 12 rescue teams in the Lake District, said: ‘I cannot stress enough the message to stay at home during lockdown.
‘This rescue, and the subsequent life changing injuries incurred by our team member, were avoidable.
‘Rescue team members are volunteers who train extensively to rescue others in the most atrocious weathers and inhospitable places.
‘However the risks are always there and the impact of an incident like this is far reaching across the rescue and emergency services family.’
Cumbria Police fined each camper £200 following the incident.
The injured man had to be helicoptered from the scene after suffering serious injuries in the incident
A spokesman for the force said one man from Liverpool and another from Leicester were camping in breach of coronavirus rules.
A spokesman for the Lake District Search & Rescue Mountain Association said: ‘Sadly, one of our colleagues from the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was injured during a rescue in the early hours of Saturday morning.
‘Our thoughts and best wishes are with all involved within the team and the team member’s family.’
‘On behalf of of the casualty’s family I would like to formally thank everyone involved in the rescue of our team member, including the medics and helicopter crew, and the amazing support he has received so far since being admitted to hospital.
‘Of course our priority is now to support him and his family.’