A Lake District walker had a lucky escape after falling 30m on Blencathra.
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team and Penrith Mountain Rescue Team were carrying out a training exercise on Sharp Edge yesterday, Saturday February 21.
The Keswick team described the conditions as ‘pretty grim’ and said members saw the man falling down the gully at around 10.40am.
The team added: “Since the start of the year there have been a spate of call-outs involving long falls where the casualties have emerged largely unscathed. This proved to be another such case.”
The man did not fall the fall length of the gully.
The Keswick team added: “Being on scene, a rope rescue set up was quickly established.
“A team medic was lowered down, and after initial checks the man was deemed well enough to get roped off to the nearby ‘chicken path’.
“Further checks confirmed that the man had only bruising to his hand and thigh and after some pain relief was able to walk back to the road where a friend drove him to hospital.
“Due to the nature of the fall, and as a precaution, Coastguard helicopter support was requested.
“Once it was confirmed the man had only minor injuries they were stood down. Many thanks to them for responding.”
The team added that it should be noted that Sharp Edge becomes notoriously slippery when wet, and that can significantly increasing the risk for people and falls can have severe consequences.
