Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team were called out at around 2.00 pm yesterday (Thursday) to what could have resulted in a repeat of the tragic fatality the day before at the same time of day.
Five male walkers in their late teens made a navigational error on the summit of Scafell thinking they could walk directly between Scafell and Scafell Pike and found themselves cragfast on serious ground.
A Wasdale MRT spokesman said: “One did manage with great difficulty to get down but only by falling and injuring his lower leg and suffering a few abrasions – fortunately he was very lucky not to have sustained more serious injuries.
“The remaining four had to be roped off the crag.
Whilst the team were attending this incident, a further call came in from Cumbria Police for a walker who had fallen off the Corridor route into Greta Gill sustaining injuries.
“Two team members were diverted to this incident to administer casualty care and analgesia before evacuating the casualty by Coastguard helicopter and taken to Furness General hospital.
“The five walkers from the first incident were walked off the mountain and returned to their campsite in Eskdale having learnt from their life threatening experience.
“Whilst this was happening a further call came in for assistance for a third incident on Great Gable followed by a fourth to check out walkers on the boulder field path on the Screes side of Wastewater.
“The team finally stood down at around 9.00 pm.
“The message is very clear regarding Broadstand on Scafell – it is not a walkers path, it is in fact a serious descent or ascent that should not be undertaken lightly unless you have climbing skills and a rope. Finding a route down to the final rock step in bad weather is extremely challenging. The rock is extremely slippery when damp. The route is exposed with severe drops. A simple slip can lead to a 60m to 100m fall resulting in life threatening injuries.”
12 team members attended the incident.
