Man fallen on Striding Edge

On Sunday 12th June at 12.50hrs Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was called by Cumbria Police to a report of a man in his fifties who had fallen on Striding Edge, sustaining head and leg injuries. The Duty Leader attempted to make contact with the casualty’s wife who was the informant but due to lack of phone signal this was not possible.

Due to the location and reported injuries a Coastguard Helicopter with winching capabilities was requested to assist in the rescue. On arrival the helicopter attempted to winch a paramedic to the scene but was unable to due to the wind conditions. Team members who had ascended on foot from Greenside were then flown from Red Tarn outlet onto Helvellyn Summit.

They were then able to make their way quickly on foot down onto Striding Edge. Once at the casualty site it was established he had fallen around 5 metres and was quickly assessed and treated for his injuries, he was then placed into a casualty bag and vacuum mattress, and then placed onto the stretcher. Team members then carried the stretcher up onto the ridge and then lowered him down from Striding Edge around 150 metres involving a technical rope system.

The weather was heavy rain and low cloud by this time but, fortunately, once they had descended into the back of Red Tarn at the base of Helvellyn, the coastguard helicopter, with some excellent flying, managed to winch the casualty on board and he was transported to hospital at Carlisle for further treatment. The rescue was attended by 15 team members taking around 4.5 hours in total.