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PATTERDALE MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM 49th annual report

£2 Suggested donation

The Team

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Association Ltd is a registered charity (No.1063329) and is the administrative organisation of the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team Visit the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team website at www.mountainrescue.org.uk for the latest information on the Team, links to other outdoor interest sites and weather reports for the UK and Europe

Officers

Team Members

Thomas Abbey Manager of Childrenâ€™s Home Neil Barrow Police Officer PMRA Ltd. Chair John Williams Mike Blakey 31 Thorpefield, Tirril, Penrith CA10 2JN Training Consultant Tel 01768 890334 Glenn Bridge Display Graphics & PMRA Ltd. Secretary Tony Burton Horse Jump Builder The Hon Secretary, PMR Association Ltd, Anna Carlisle c/o Ogilvie House, Patterdale, Cumbria, Instructor, CA11 0PJ Outdoor Centre Francis Charlesworth Team Secretary Nigel Harling Outdoor instructor c/o Ogilvie House, Patterdale, Cumbria, Martin Cotterell CA11 0PJ Renewable Energy Consultant Treasurer Mrs Joan Watson Matt Cox The HonTreasurer, PMR Association Ltd, Snowboard c/o Ogilvie House, Patterdale, Cumbria, Instructor CA11 0PJ Tel 01768 486382 Chris Cunningham E-mail: ullswaterwatson@btinternet.com Legal Advisor Marieke Dekker Legal Adviser Mr T. Price Outdoor Instructor Arnison Heelis Solicitors, Penrith, CA11 7AW Sean Duffy Tel 01768 862007 Manager, Outdoor Centre Reporting Accountants Lowe & Whitwell John Ellerton Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4HL Doctor Tel 01539 721591 Dan Farley Data Administrator Trustees Dave Freeborn Mike Blakey, Tony Burton, Syd Burns,Martin Graphic Designer Butcher, Jacquie Freeborn, Steve Howe, Jacquie Freeborn Gillian Mininch, Mike Rippon, Lindsay Scott, B&B Proprietor Louise Walding, Joan Watson, John Williams, Chris Gaskarth Will Ripley, Simon Woodrow Financial Advisor Berni Gilmartin Deputy Team Leaders Outdoor Trainer Dan Farley, Sean Duffy, Mike Rippon Ray Griffiths Retired Teacher Training Officer Ian Griggs Gillian Mininch CofE Bishop (part time) Search Dog Handler Nigel Harling Andy Peacock Police Officer Base Controller Jacquie Freeborn

Design: Viscom Studios Ltd - 01768 899902

Team Leader Mike Blakey c/o Low Nook, University of Cumbria, Ambleside LA22 9BB Tel 07786 435746

Ralph Hetherington Instructor Ally Howard-Carter Hotelier Rich Maywhort Outdoor Instructor Alistair McCaig Police Officer Gillian Mininch Recruitment Manager Jon Owen Regional Director National Skills Academy Andy Peacock Firefighter Anja Phoenix Outdoor Trainer Will Ripley Managing Director, Outward Bound Mike Rippon Managing Quantity Surveyor Stephen Shaw Outdoor Instructor Stuart Smith Outdoor Trainer Dave Watkinson Outdoor Trainer Theo Weston Doctor Simon Woodrow Retired Police Officer

Trainee Team Members Eelco Docter Police Officer Andy McAlea Doctor Chris Sanderson Retired Army Officer

Equipment Officer Glenn Bridge Medical Officers John Ellerton, Theo Weston Collecting Box Coordinator Ray Griffiths Photos: Team members, Sally Seed and Local Liaison Michael Lishman Ian Griggs, Sean Duffy

Chairman T

his year saw us achieving a long-term goal in purchasing the land on which the Rescue Centre stands. When we built the Centre some 15 years ago, Patterdale Hall Estates who kindly made the land available leased the plot to us for an annual rent. This had two advantages: we were able to locate to their land in an ideal position in the centre of our area of responsibility and we avoided having to find a large capital sum at a time when we were raising money to fund the building.

ver the years we have set aside some money to buy out the lease which means we now have the security of owning both the building and the land on which it stands. Financially it makes sense as, by not having to pay rent, we will have recouped the buyout cost in 17 years rather than continuing with the ninetynine years lease.

espite the continued financial recession afflicting just about every walk of life, including the emergency services, we have been able to keep our heads above water. There seem to be ever increasing demands on the level of service to be delivered, which impacts on both the amount of training and the quantity of equipment required. I am now in my 38th year of involvement with mountain rescue (don’t worry - I will be retiring in two years as 40 years seems a landmark) and in that time the demand has increased beyond all recognition.

he demands may have increased but we still rely on volunteers who give their time and skills absolutely free, in fact often at personal financial cost in terms of lost work, travel and some equipment costs. They do that because they are committed to being a part of a much used and much valued service.

n the early years we could deliver training in house, often developing our own home-made equipment. Use of our rescue boat was based on common sense techniques delivered by Team members with experience. Things are different now with course curricula and certificates being a necessity. Perhaps more than any other field, First Aid as it was called has now been developed into seriously skilled casualty care, requiring extensive training. This is as it should be since our function in life is to find and rescue missing persons and casualties and give them the best chance of recovery. However, this evolution places demands not only on our Team members but also on escalating costs in both training and equipment.

ctual running costs vary each year depending on possible major purchases. A new Land Rover (the next is scheduled for 2015) costs £50,000 after being converted and fitted out as an ambulance. Typically our total annual running cost is never less than £65,000 and can easily reach £90,000. That works out at around £1000 per rescue.

Thankfully we survive due to the generosity of you, the public, whether you were a casualty, a friend or relative, a supporter or just someone who appreciates what we do.

n 2014, the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team will reach its 50th anniversary and we are in the early stages of planning a series of events to celebrate this landmark. More details will follow but we hope you will be able to joinus on one of these occasions, whatever your connection to the Team.

n behalf of the Trustees and Team members I should like to thank you for your continued support and interest - we are most grateful to you all. John Williams

January 2013 started with two callouts on New Year’s Day! A broken ankle whilst everyone was still recovering from the night before and then, later in the day, a search for a couple who were lost somewhere up Scandale. Just a few weeks later and we were winter training in Scotland in what was later to be recognised as ‘one wild winter’ by the BBC. In February, a boy aged 10 fell from Swirral Edge and, later in the month, Team members were involved in the dramatic and tragic rescue of victims caught in the Charlemagne gap avalanche in the Cairngorms. In March, I took over as Team Leader and this is the first public opportunity for me to recognise, on behalf of the Team, Martin Cotterell’s contribution as Team Leader. Martin took on the role in 2008, after serving as Deputy Team Leader (DTL), and he continues to serve as a full Team member. Martin’s contribution was nothing less than significant and many of us learned much of what we know about mountain rescue under his leadership. Through a summer of mixed incidents, training and fundraising activities, in October, a 24-year-old man sadly fell from Striding Edge and suffered fatal injuries. Then, later in October, we rescued groups of teenagers caught out in storm force winds so strong that Team members were being blown around like rag dolls. All in all, it was another varied year.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the officers of the Team for the hard work that they put into making sure our vehicles work, that we always have the equipment we need and that we are trained to the highest standard. Also behind the scenes, our Trustees ensure we will be around for the long term and have this year enabled us to purchase the land that our Base sits on, an investment that secures our future in the valley. I have been ably supported by a very strong leadership team who each give so much - they are always supportive of the Team and myself – and I would also like to recognise the contribution of each and every Team member. They give so much every week and I know that many members of the public still have no idea that we deliver an entirely voluntary service 24 hours of the day, seven days per week and every week of the year. Finally, there are the landowners, farmers, and supporters who enable us to carry out our role and the families of Team members who also give up their time to help at fundraising events or lose time with their family because we are out doing what we do… thank you all so much. Mike Blakey

team leader

Drones to the rescue?

Patterdale MRT generated a lot of discussion and media coverage back in July and Mike Blakey and Sean Duffy made it on to the regional Northwest television news and beyond but it was for a mock rescue rather than the real thing and involved volunteers from around the world!

The Team worked with the University of Central Lancashire’s Aerospace Centre and Media Innovation Studio to see how modern engineering and camera technology, combined with social media, might contribute to the search and rescue of the future. On Thursday 25 July, the AeroSee aircraft, or drone, was launched from the Sports Field in Glenridding, opposite our Rescue Centre and the media (as well as Team members) turned out in force to see it in action. The drone made a 20-minute flight covering 10 square kilometres in search of a missing hiker – planted by the researchers. Images from AeroSee were relayed to anyone logged on to a special web application and, as images were streamed to people’s computers, they were able to tap or click on any area of the image (creating a ‘tag’) where they thought they might have spotted an injured person on the mountainside. At the time, Paul Egglestone, Director of the Media Innovation Studio said: “Drones get lots of bad press as they’re usually associated with civilian casualties

in military situations. They’re just a tool and we’re using AeroSee for peaceful purposes, encouraging people to participate in something that could be useful in future.” The Team was interested to see how AeroSee worked and whether it was possible to build a community of ‘virtual search agents’. Team Leader, Mike Blakey said “Mountain rescue is changing as new technology is available, from GPS and mobile phones for people visiting the hills to the SARCALL system that enables us to work more effectively with other emergency services. The idea of getting people to help with the rescue operation wherever they are in the world

is an interesting one but I am not sure how reliable the current drones might be in bad weather or at night. Still, we were happy to work with UCLan on the demonstration and we got some excellent publicity from the drone trial too.”

The drone attracted interest from BBC TV News (above) and local ITV Border News (left) but the best ongoing publicity for the Team has come from this photograph of our HRH 1 Land Rover with the drones.

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Equipment I ended my report last year by saying: “Helping people who find themselves in trouble on the fells and in the countryside, as well as protecting ourselves, is an expensive business”. That was borne out when I put my budget proposal for 2013 in front of our Trustees just over a year ago. Since then, we have made investments in our vehicles and in water rescue equipment, in avalanche gear and in our mountain kit too. There were new purchases, including a small craft, for the ever increasing threat of urban flood rescue and we added new rigging systems and ropes to our kit for flood and swift water rescue. We also now have “Five Ten” canyoning boots, which give us the benefits of safe movement in and around water. There has been a growing awareness of the threat of avalanches over the last few years, so, to protect ourselves and give us the best chance of helping anyone unlucky enough to be caught in one, each Team member now has a transceiver, shovel and probe to take on the hill in winter. The need to keep updating and replacing kit for our 35 fell members is ongoing. This year, we purchased new climbing helmets, head torches and new Team trousers. Also a small number of over trousers and jackets have been bought to drip feed in as existing ones get damaged and wear out. Other repairs

and replacements this year also included life jackets and new cuffs and collars for most of our Team dry suits. During the year, two of our three vehicles have been upgraded to carry more weight safely and to meet the increasing demands of a modern rescue service. Maintenance and servicing of our vehicles, boat, trailer and our extensive kit and equipment are also large considerations along with the endless need to replace consumables such as batteries, medical supplies and flares. The only way the cost of all this can be met is by the continuing generosity of you, our supporters, so a very big thank you from the whole Team. The end result is we undertake our many rescues with kit and equipment that gives the best possible outcome to those who need our help, whilst protecting ourselves at the same time, whatever the conditions. A final thanks to all those on the Equipment Committee who have helped so much this year. Glenn Bridge

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training Taking part in training is quite a commitment and is something we stress to new applicants to ensure they have a good understanding of what’s involved – the professional service they see being delivered at the sharp end is underpinned by many hours of regular training.

Providing regular training for the Team brings new opportunities and challenges - there is a wide range of skills required for Team members to fulfil their role effectively and to keep up to date with best practise. As a Team, we get together on two evenings and the final Sunday of each month to train together and most of what we do is led ‘in-house’, drawing on the wealth of skills we have within the Team. However, we also look to external bodies or training providers to deliver specific training, usually involving Team members giving up more of their time.

We’ve had a busy year for training as we’ve undertaken quite a few courses in addition to our usual programme. In January, around half of the Team headed off to the Cairngorms for snow and ice training where winter conditions are more likely to prevail. All Team members are now equipped with avalanche transceivers, shovels and probes and we need to train in their use to ensure we are prepared for winter weather whenever it arrives in Patterdale.

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A number of Team members also took part in an off road driving skills course to enable safe negotiation of the many fell tracks in our area that are only accessible by 4x4 vehicles.

We also had our three-yearly response driving course comprising a series of lectures followed by a practical day of on road driving simulating an emergency situation. Our Casualty Care course, a First Aid course specific to mountain rescue, was due for renewal last autumn so we had an additional focus on First Aid toward the end of the year. The Outward Bound Trust kindly allowed us to make use of their mountain lodge in Grisedale in September which gave us the opportunity to combine a social event with training as we had an overnight at the lodge followed by a morning of First Aid practise, all in fabulous autumn weather. We also take advantage of impromptu training: for example, when ex-Team member, Russ Craig, who now works at the RNLI training college in Dorset, returned to the Lake District for a holiday, he gave up some time to deliver refresher boat handling training for Team members, using our RIB, Patrick Scottie.

However many times we are called upon to assist those who find themselves in difficulty on the fells or waterways in our area, training is ever present and demands commitment and dedication from Team members. They not only turn out to take part but also assist in the delivery of the training. I am continually grateful to Team members for this as well as to the many other people who help to make the programme possible. Gillian Mininch

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Dan Farley, Deputy Team Leader and one of those involved in the Team’s Medical Group, reports on a year that was always going to focus on training, knowledge and skills for the casualty care that’s required of mountain rescuers: Mountain Rescue Casualty Care can be thought of as First Aid with a few bits added on - the usual good advice to stabilise the casualty and wait for an ambulance isn’t always going to work when, like us, you are the ambulance! It is obviously a key skill for all mountain rescue personnel so, every three years, we all jump through the hoops and re-take our Casualty Care Certificate. This involves both a theory and a practical exam and, in previous years, we have spread the training out over our usual training sessions (see Gillian’s report) with the result that we begin to feel like we have done nothing put Casualty Care for months and people find it almost impossible to make every session.

MEDICAL

This time around, we decided to run a one-off training session over a full weekend. Because we needed members to have time to read through the set text, we ran a virtual “Richard and Judy Casualty Care Reading Group” for the six weeks prior to the weekend, emailing members each week with suggested reading and self-assessment questions. Then we all met up and spent the whole of one Saturday and Sunday going over the syllabus content (presented by our Medical Group members) and working through a mock exam paper and a variety of “scenarios” with our Team Doctors.

Two weeks later, we sat the exam and were assessed on the practical aspects by doctors from other teams. Many thanks to everyone involved, particularly the volunteers who agreed to be “casualties” to be prodded and poked. The result was a pleasingly high pass rate and lots of positive comments from Team members about a thoroughly enjoyable weekend - definitely a format we will repeat. The high level of casualty care we strive to offer is only possible because of the support we receive from the various medical professionals who directly or indirectly support the Team. For many years this has included two (and now three) GPs who are also Team members and, in the last year, we have also benefited from training by an air ambulance paramedic and hospital doctors. Also thanks to Medical Group members who often take the lead on incidents, training sessions and the housekeeping. Finally thanks must go to all the Team members who put so much hard work into this year’s casualty care training. Dan Farley

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Fundraising It was a bit of a shock to see that figure of £65,000 in John’s Chairman’s report as we’ve always tended to quote £40,000 per annum as our target but, with growing demands on our services and a wider range of equipment required (see Glenn’s report), it shouldn’t surprise us at all. What is brilliant is that we have a network of supporters and friends who help us to raise these large amounts, even in hard times, and this report is something of a thank you to every single one, from the biggest business to the youngest supporter. Legacies are going to be more of a feature of our fundraising in 2014 as we mark 50 years of the Team and there have been some major contributions to our funds through legacies in 2013 too. These donations are always tinged with sadness but huge thanks go to the people who recognised the value of a legacy and also to the family members who honoured their wishes and, in many cases, added to the original legacy by maintaining contact with the Team. The family and friends of those who lose their lives in our area are also great examples of charity and goodwill in tough times. We were all pleased to meet the family of Alan Burns as they visited the Rescue Centre and gave the Team a bench in memory of Alan, a keen walker and climber who sadly died in December 2010 after a fall into Brown Cove. This

was only the tip of the iceberg on their fundraising and support for the Team since Alan’s death.

Simon and Chris were welcomed by the Yarwood family at an event during the year and Team Leader, Michael Blakey and one of his Deputies, Mike Rippon joined a crowd of people at an event in Liverpool, receiving a cheque for over £600 from the family and friends of Robert Pascoe. During 2013, young Bradley Maughan also raised funds for the Team in memory of his Dad, Bryden, and we met up with Bradley in Grisedale to receive an amazing cheque for over £2,500. We very much appreciated the support of Penrith Building Society during 2013 as the staff in the town centre gave us and our neighbours, Penrith MRT the opportunity to have a display of equipment (old and new) in one of their main windows. The Society also sold tickets for our Duck Race at Easter and the Ullswater Steamer Trip in June. Having a town centre point where people could buy made a real difference to the success of these events so a big thank you to Amyn Fazal, Heather Ripley and the team there.

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Overall, our Supporters’ Club numbers are continuing to grow, we have almost 1000 Followers on our Twitter feed and online donations through a range of routes (see inside back cover) keep developing too. Given the growth in these areas, we’re confident that our fundraising and financial support will get broader and bigger in the years ahead and it is going to get increasingly difficult to thank everyone for their generosity – but it is much appreciated. Finally, a special thank you goes to a regular supporter who epitomises the energy and enthusiasm of those who fundraise for the Team, whatever their age. Many of our regular supporters will have read about Rachael Moseley, still only 9 and yet a veteran of the Coast to Coast Walk – she has completed it three times! Rachael lives near to our Base in Patterdale at the Old Water View guesthouse and she has recently published an account of her walks (with the help of her “Grandma Joyce”) entitled Rachael: A Remarkable Record Breaker. Even though Rachael and her sister have already donated over £2000 to the Team, she is giving part of the profits from the book to us too.

Staff and visitors of Parkfoot Caravan and Camping Park raised £1000 with a family fun day

Bradley Maughan presents a cheque for £2529. He helped raise the donationin memory of his father Bryden

Rachel’s book

However you support us, however much (or little) you can raise, whatever your connection to Patterdale and to the Team, thank you for your continued support in 2013. Chris Gaskarth, Jacquie Freeborn and Simon Woodrow

Camp Hill RFC present a cheque in memory of Sam Yarwood

INCIDENT REPORT x19

01/01/2013 17:16 Scandale Pass

The Team received a second call of the day from the Police

The Team was called to support Penrith MRT in a search for two missing people and their dog who had become lost in fading light on High Street. Penrith members were searching from the Haweswater side where the couple’s car was located and Patterdale searched from Hayeswater Dam, up towards the Knott. The missing people were located by a Patterdale dog handler close to Rest Dodd. They were unhurt and able to walk off the fell with Team members

24/01/2013 14:36 Ullswater

The Team was called to assist a woman with a reported epileptic fit. The woman, a 23 year old from Lancashire, was walking with an organised group on the lake path between Howtown and Glenridding when she collapsed. Members of her party reported

16/02/2013 16:06 Grisedale Valley

The Police contacted the Team after shouts were reported from Grisedale Valley. Two Team members drove up to investigate and discovered that the local shepherds had been gathering stock on both sides of the valley. The informant was contacted and it was agreed that this was probably what had been heard. 7/02/2013 15:33 Swirral Edge

Rescue

The Team was called to assist a man who had slipped on an icy path near Ullswater. The 39 year old, from Carlisle, was walking at Aira Force when he slipped, resulting in a suspected fracture dislocation of his right leg. The man was in a lot of pain and needed pain relief before his leg could be moved and splinted. Once secured the man was carried to one of the Team’s Land Rover ambulances. The man was then driven to the road and transferred into a County Ambulance and taken to the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle. Rescue

06/01/2013 18:24 Rest Dodd

20/01/2013 14:34 Aira Force

the incident to the Police who in turn called out the rescue Team. The air ambulance and a land ambulance were also mobilised. The Team reached the casualty location via the lake using its rescue boat, the quickest means to access many parts of the lakeshore path. The casualty was placed in a stretcher then taken by boat to the air ambulance. She was then flown to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle.

Team members assisted a fell runner who had tripped and had a deep cut on his right knee. He was able to walk down to a Team vehicle at Hayeswater Dam.

A local farmer reported a sheep stuck on a ledge on a crag to the west side of Kirkstone top. Three Team members went to retrieve it, but found the ledge empty. On further investigation, an injured sheep was found close to the foot of the crag. It was carried from the fell and returned to the farmer.

05/01/2013 12:50 Hayeswater

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team started the New Year with a call to go to the assistance of two walkers. They were on their way up Hellvellyn when one of them slipped injuring his ankle. On reaching the casualty, a 25-yearold from North Shields, he was treated for a suspected broken ankle, given pain relief and the ankle splinted. The casualty was then placed on a stretcher and lowered down the fell to a waiting team Land Rover ambulance, taken to the Team’s Base and transferred to an ambulance which took him to Carlisle Infirmary. Fifteen members of the Team attended the incident.

01/01/2013 10:15 Birkhouse Moor

Rescue

and were tasked to search for a couple who had left Sykeside campsite to go for a fell walk. They had become lost once darkness fell and dialled 999 for assistance. The Team dispatched two search parties, including two search dogs to the area of Scandale Pass. The pair, who weren’t carrying a torch and had an intermittent mobile phone signal, were located at about 20:00 and escorted back to their campsite.

15/01/2013 10:45 Kirkstone Top

Animal

before being transported back to Patterdale Rescue Centre.

Total number of incidents in 2013 - 72 (two fatalities in the year) 53 incidents in 2012

Incident Report 2013

The Team was called to attend a boy who had fallen from Swirral Edge, Helvellyn. The boy, a 10 year old from Preston, was climbing down the ridge with his father, when he slipped on a steep snow slope and fell approximately 50 metres. The Great North Air Ambulance dropped its doctor and paramedic on the ridge and ferried Team members with kit up to their location. Personnel then descended to the casualty site and secured and assessed the boy before placing him in a vacuum mattress. He was conscious but was treated for suspected pelvic and possible head injuries.

20x INCIDENT REPORT

06/03/2013 18:23 Rooking Gill

While the previous incident was still in progress, the Team was called by the Police following a report of shouting heard coming from the fell side above Patterdale. Three Team members were sent to investigate but nothing was found. The local farmer later reported that he had been fetching his dogs in at about the time of the call out.

Rescue

25/03/2013 14:46 St Sunday Crag

Rescue

The Team was called by the Police after a vehicle became stuck in snow on the A5091. The four occupants were transported to safety by a passing 4x4 before the Team Land Rover arrived. While returning to Base, the Team came across a road traffic incident at Glencoyne which had been caused by the weather conditions. The occupants of the vehicle involved were unhurt and were transported to Patterdale Youth Hostel.

14 Rescue

The Team was alerted to a third incident on St Sunday Crag while the previous one was still underway. The reports stated that a 47-year-old walker from Oxfordshire had fallen, again on icy slopes, fracturing his ankle. Members of Patterdale Team were diverted to this incident and, given the number of incidents running, Penrith MRT was called to assist. Team members reached the casualty, splinted his leg and then transferred him into a stretcher for winching into the Sea King which had returned from dropping off the first two casualties at hospital. All casualties from these three separate incidents were well equipped.

22/03/2013 21:02 near Rookin House

The Team was called to assist a party of four walkers on St Sunday Crag. The group, from Derbyshire, was staying locally in the Ullswater valley. One of the party had become exhausted by the winter conditions and was unable to proceed. Given the manâ€™s location and condition, the Great North Air Ambulance was called to assist with the evacuation. The remaining members of the party were roped off the mountain. 31/03/2013 15:35 High Dodd

Rescue

While the first incident was finishing, the Team received a call from the Police to say that someone had fallen on the other side of Helvellyn. A 27-year-old man from Cheshire was reported to have fallen 100 metres towards Red Tarn. On reaching the scene, the man was found to have dislocated his shoulder and fractured his ankle. He was treated for his injuries, splinted, placed into a stretcher and then lowered down the snow slope to a waiting Air Ambulance. The

23/02/2012 16:19 St Sunday Crag

Rescue

23/02/2013 14:13 Helvellyn ll

Team was assisted by members of RAF mountain rescue who were training in the area.

The Team was called to assist a man who had become crag fast after slipping and losing equipment. The man had suffered a hand injury when descending from Helvellyn and was unable to move as he could not use his ice axe and continue his descent. He was located on the back wall of Helvellyn approximately 80 metres above Red Tarn. Team members assisted the man and the accompanying party down from the fell. Twelve Team members attended this incident.

Rescue

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The Team was alerted to an incident on the Thirlmere side of Helvellyn, where a father and son had fallen descending an icy path. Although the job was run by Keswick MRT, it was attended by two Patterdale members who were already out climbing on Helvellyn. Both father and son had sustained leg injuries and were eventually airlifted from scene by a Navy Sea King helicopter.

06/03/2013 15:12 Helvellyn headwall

Rescue

A man reported his son and grandson overdue when they failed to return from a walk over Striding Edge. While the Team was gathering information from the reporting person, the missing party made contact by telephone having descended down the western side of Helvellyn in error.

A BUSY DAY FOR THE TEAM 23/02/2013 12:26 Helvellyn Gill

02/03/2013 17:57 Striding Edge

A Sea King helicopter from RAF Boulmer was scrambled when the incident was reported. When it arrived on scene, it winched the casualty together with his father and a doctor into the aircraft before flying them to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

INCIDENT REPORT x21

The Team was called to assist a woman from Hertfordshire who had injured her ankle. The woman had slipped between High Dodd and Place Fell above Patterdale At the time of the accident, the woman was attempting to avoid snow and ice which made the path difficult. The Great North Air Ambulance assisted the Team

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INCIDENT REPORT x23

Rescue

17/04/2013 16:12 Grisedale Valley

The Team was contacted by the Police following the report of a 63-year-old woman from Hertfordshire who had fallen and injured her knee while walking the Coast to Coast route between Grasmere and Patterdale. The Team was unable to contact the reporting person and, in deteriorating weather conditions, started a second call out of the day. Thirteen Team members responded. On locating the

The Team was called by the Police to a 55-year-old man from Bedford who had suffered both a knee and head injury while walking the Ullswater shore path between Sandwick and Patterdale. Eight team members responded, launching the Team rescue boat from Glenridding Pier to access the easterly lake shore path. The man was assessed and assisted onto a stretcher before being lowered from the path to the lake shore. Following transport by boat back to Glenridding, he was handed over to an NWAS ambulance for onward transport to hospital. 05/05/2013 17:32 Helvellyn

The Team was called to assist four walkers who reported themselves lost on the summit of Helvellyn. A passing mountain biker kindly

Rescue

11/05/2013 13:59 Ullswater

The Team was called by the Police to assist a 59-year-old man from Redcar who had slipped and seriously dislocated his knee. He was walking on the lake shore path between Howtown and Patterdale. The Team located the man and administered first aid before placing him on a stretcher and lowering him 70 metres to the lake shore. He was transported by the Team’s rescue boat to a waiting Land Rover and then to the Rescue Centre before onward transfer to hospital. Twelve Team members were involved in the rescue for 3 hours. 17/05/2013 15:58 Middle Dodd

Rescue

24/04/2013 14:26 Ullswater

guided the walkers from the summit shelter to Thirlmere whilst the Team were searching for the missing group.

Rescue

The Team was called to assist a 16-year-old girl who was cold and wet and unable to continue her walk. from Watermillock Common .When the Team arrived, she had managed to make her own way to the road at Aira Force and did not require any further assistance. Seven team members were involved for 1.5 hours

Rescue

The Team was called to assist Penrith MRT following reports of a 60-year-old man with pain in his chest and arm. The man had been fell walking and was on the border between the two Teams’ areas near Rest Dodd. Twelve Patterdale members responded and joined two parties from Penrith making their way up the fell in high winds towards the casualty. Due to the possibility that the reported symptoms indicated a heart attack, support from an RAF Sea King helicopter was requested. The Team was stood down after the helicopter was able to land close to the party and transported them to West Cumberland Infirmary.

21/04/2013 11:57 Watermillock

Rescue

The Team was called after a woman from Worcestershire failed to return at the expected time from a walk over St Sunday

17/04/2013 12:35 Rest Dodd

casualty, a medical assessment was undertaken and the casualty was able to walk off the fell with assistance to the waiting Team ambulance.

10/04/2013 19:21 St Sunday Crag

The Team was called to assist a couple from Margate in Kent who had become stuck on a steep snow slope on the west side of the Nab, above Bannerdale. One of the group had slipped and slid about 20 metres, suffering minor injuries. A Team member, who lives near the Nab, was able to quickly spot the pair and direct the Team to their location. However the ensuing rescue still took four hours and involved 12 members of the team. Mike Blakey, Team Leader said: “Please stay safe in the mountains. Given winter conditions, it is essential that all those venturing on to the high fells carry an ice axe and crampons and have the skill to use them. Over the last couple of weeks several people have been rescued by mountain rescue teams in the Lake District National Park because they have been ill equipped and become stuck on difficult terrain. Please check the fell top forecasts issued by the National Park and the weather forecast and choose an appropriate route for your ability so that you can enjoy the mountains at their best.”

Crag, Fairfield, Hart Crag and Hartsop Above How. She arrived back as the reporting person was being interviewed. The walk had simply taken longer than anticipated and she had been unable to let anyone know due to lack of mobile phone coverage

07/04/2013 20:09 The Nab

Rescue

by airlifting the casualty from the fell to our Rescue Centre. Twelve members of the Team were involved in this rescue.

The Team was requested to assist a 65-year-old man from Wolverhampton who had slipped and seriously injured his ankle. He was walking with a group of friends in the Ullswater area. The Team placed the man on a stretcher and lowered him 300 metres down steep and rugged terrain to the roadside where he was transported by a Team ambulance back to Base. He was then transferred to an ambulance and taken to Cumberland Infirmary Carlisle. Twelve Team members were involved in the rescue which lasted for 3 hours.

INCIDENT REPORT x25

18/06/2013 11:20 Aira Force

The Team was called by North West Ambulance Service to assist with a casualty with suspected fallrelated injuries close to Aira Force beck path above the waterfalls. The Team located the casualty

At the time of the incident, the man’s friends could not see him due to low cloud and believed him to be unconscious. The Team found the casualty at the head of Brown Cove below Water Crag. He was conscious and suffering from an injured shoulder and cuts and bruises. Due to the distance he had fallen, the Team placed him in a

24/06/2013 17:00 Thrang Crag

Animal

At the request of the local farmer, seven Team members retrieved a lamb which had become cragfast on Thrang Crag. Martindale.

26/06/2013 15:13 Armathwaite

Rescue

The Team received a call from the Police to assist a man who had fallen approximately 100 metres from Swirral Edge, Helvellyn. At the time of the callout, 17 Team members were on a training exercise with an RAF Sea King rescue helicopter from RAF Boulmer. Six members immediately redeployed to Red Tarn via helicopter, with emergency first aid and rope rescue equipment, and then made their way onto Swirral Edge to locate the injured man. The helicopter carried out an initial search of the area but, due to low cloud, was unable to spot the casualty. Further members of the Team ascended to Swirral Edge on foot with additional equipment and assisted those already on scene whilst the helicopter refuelled.

Given the quick response and assistance of the RAF, this rescue was completed in less than three hours.

The Team was called by Penrith MRT and asked to assist with a search for a missing 12-yearold boy near Armathwaite. All three Team Land Rovers were dispatched with swiftwater rescue equipment and a total of 15 personnel. Patterdale Team members searched for several hours along with members of Penrith and Kirkby Stephen MRTs and nine Lake District search dogs, before being stood down when the boy was found safe and well. 30/06/2013 15:25 Patterdale

Rescue

The Team was called by the Police to assist two people lost in low cloud and stormy weather on Caudale Moor. The Team responded and three of its members located the couple, cold, wet and hungry but otherwise in good spirits. Once they had received adequate sustenance and been given extra clothing, they were walked off the fell. The incident lasted three hours and was the Team’s second job of the day.

22/06/2013 15:54 Swirral Edge

neck collar and full body vacuum splint. He was airlifted from the mountain by the RAF Sea King helicopter, which had returned to assist the Team, and then flown to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, for further treatment. The rest of the casualty’s friends walked safely off the mountain with the Team.

Rescue

15/06/2013 19:44 Caudale Moor

Rescue

30 31

The Team was called by North West Ambulance Service to assist with a casualty with suspected head injuries on the lake shore path beneath Birkfell. The Team was deployed using their rigid inflatable boat “Patrick Scotty” to the location. The casualty was treated on scene before being transported back across the Lake with her companion, to St Patrick’s Landing for onward travel to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle. The callout was attended by 11 members.

and assisted the paramedics at the scene. Due to the location of the incident, the Team hoisted the casualty on their stretcher to safer ground and the waiting county ambulance, for onward travel to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle. The callout was attended by 11 members and took two hours.

The Team was contacted by Police after a 6-year-old boy was reported missing by his mother. The family had been walking the Lake Shore path from Howtown to Patterdale and the boy had run on ahead. On arriving at Side Farm, his mother was concerned that he was not there but he turned up within 10 minutes

15/06/2013 15:27 Ullswater

Rescue

31/05/2013 17:29 Near Side Farm

Rescue

Both Keswick and Patterdale MRTs were called by the Police to assist a woman who had injured a leg muscle near to the summit of Helvellyn. Team members from Patterdale MRT ascended via Brown Cove to the East of Helvellyn while members of Keswick MRT ascended the West flanks. The teams met near the summit and treated the casualty. An RAF Sea King helicopter from RAF Boulmer assisted with the transportation of team members and kit and the evacuation of the casualty. The rescue lasted approximately four hours and involved ten members of Patterdale MRT. At the time of the incident, rescue team members from across the Lakes were completing the fourth day of a rope rescue course at Aira Force. Eight members of the following rescue teams therefore ably assisted or waited patiently to help: Langdale & Ambleside, Cockermouth, Kendal, Keswick, Kirkby Stephen and Wasdale. The mountain guide and course instructor, all the way from British Columbia, also assisted.

before the Team had time to assemble.

28/05/2013 14:04 Helvellyn summit

Rescue

24x INCIDENT REPORT

During the Patterdale Country Fair fell race, a competitor suffered a suspected fractured ankle. The Team transferred the casualty to the Rescue Centre for

18/07/2013 10:27 Threshthwaite Cove

The Team was called to assist a 14-year-old girl who was suffering from chest pains. The Team requested the assistance of the Great North Air Ambulance which flew to within 300 metres of the casualty’s location. Once the casualty had been assessed, she was helped by the Team to the helicopter and flown to the Rescue Centre. She was then

4/08/2013 18:32 Helvellyn

The Team was called to assist the Ambulance Service with a casualty evacuation at Greenside Youth Hostel. The casualty was transferred from the scene using the Team’s stretcher. The callout was attended by nine Team members and completed within two hours.

Fatality

The Police contacted the Team after receiving a call from a 50-year-old solo walker complaining of chest pains who was on the fells south west of Angle Tarn. In view of the reported symptoms, assistance was immediately requested from the Great North Air Ambulance. The helicopter dropped its doctor and paramedic at the scene and proceeded to airlift nine Team members onto the fell above the casualty site. The man was assessed, treated and then carried by stretcher up to the waiting air ambulance for evacuation to hospital. The rescue took two and a half hours and involved 14 Team members.

27/07/2013 08:35 Greenside YHA

Both Patterdale and Keswick MRTs were contacted by the Police after a party of eight people including four children reported themselves lost on Helvellyn in cloud and heavy rain. After a discussion with the party by mobile phone it was established that they had ascended from Swirls car park at the northern end of Thirlmere. The Team was placed on standby and a search dog and handler set off for the summit of Helvellyn via Swirral Edge in case a full scale search became necessary. After about an hour and a half the party were located close to Brown Cove Crags on the western flank of Helvellyn by members of Keswick Mountain Rescue T.eam. 11/08/2013 16:40 St Sunday Crag

Rescue

The Team was called to assist a man who had suffered a back injury while walking in Grisedale. The Team drove to the man’s location, assessed his condition, and then drove him back to the Rescue Centre. The incident was over within 90 minutes and involved ten Team members.

25/07/2013 16:41 Angle Tarn

Rescue

15/07/2013 15:16 Grisedale

21/07/2013 11:56 Striding Edge

The Team was called to assist a man who had collapsed on Striding Edge. The Great North Air Ambulance dropped a medic and paramedic on Helvellyn summit and then quickly flew Team members to the scene. Sadly the man was pronounced dead on scene having suffered a suspected heart attack.

39 40

Just before midday, the Team was called to investigate reports of an orange survival bag on the face of Helvellyn. Two team members ascended to the site and discovered that it was, indeed, just an empty bag. Callout with good intent. Team members were involved for 3.5 hours.

transferred to a land ambulance and taken to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle. Twelve team members attended the incident. An RAF Sea King helicopter was also scrambled but then was stood down en route.

The Team was contacted by the Police to come to the aid of a man in his early twenties who had sustained a serious cut just below his left knee while walking with friends on the path above Ullswater. Thirteen Team members responded to the callout and launched the Team’s rescue boat from Glenridding Pier. After a short search of the lake shore in failing light, the man and his friends were located about

08/07/2013 11:47 Helvellyn

Rescue

06/07/2013 20:14 Near Sandwick

Rescue

The Team rescued a 60-yearold Preston man who had been out walking with his dogs near Grisdale Tarn when he fell, fracturing his ankle. A group of walkers who were nearby raised the alarm. The air ambulance landed close to the scene but due to the terrain could not get near the casualty site. The medics from the air ambulance treated the man and the rescue Team transferred him to a stretcher and lowered the casualty down a steep grassy slope to the waiting air ambulance. He was flown to Cumberland infirmary for further treatment. His dogs were walked off the fell by the people who raised the alarm and were reunited with the casualty’s wife at the Team’s Rescue Base. The rescue was attended by 11 Patterdale Mountain Rescue volunteers and lasted four hours.

800m southwest of Sandwick. The man was assessed, his wound was dressed and bandaged before he was stretchered down a steep bank to the boat. He was then transported to Howtown where he was transferred to an NWAS ambulance.

05/07/2013 13:27 Grisedale valley

Rescue

treatment before he travelled to Lancaster A&E Department for further assessment.

Rescue

INCIDENT REPORT x27

26x INCIDENT REPORT

The Team was called by Cumbria Police to rescue a man who had fallen approximately 50 metres from Thornhow End, near St Sunday Crag. He had suffered a head injury and was lucky that passing walkers saw the

28x INCIDENT REPORT

The Team was called to assist HM Coastguard and North West Ambulance Service to evacuate a 15-year-old man who had fallen from a tree while on Cherry Holme Island on Ullswater. The

04/09/2013 14:10 Red Screes

The Team was called to assist a 22-year-old woman from Leeds who had fallen and broken her

The Team was called to assist two walkers from Rochdale who had become separated in low cloud on Loadpot Hill. One walker was located by Team members ascending to Loadpot Hill and the second walker was located near the summit by one of the Team’s two search dogs. Nine Team members were involved for approximately five hours.

Rescue Rescue

20/09/2013 16:21 Nic Head

The Team was called by Police to assist a 17-year-old woman from Cheshire who had injured her knee after becoming stuck in mud near Sheffield Pike. Her friends put her into a sleeping bag and tent to keep her warm while waiting for the Team to arrive. The casualty’s leg was splinted and she was put on to a stretcher and lowered down the fell to a waiting Team ambulance. After transfer back to the Rescue Centre for re-assessment, she was released to travel to Cumberland Infirmary Carlisle in the care of her group. The rescue took 3.5 hours and involved 14 Team members. 29/09/2013 19:52 Angle Tarn

Rescue

12/09/2013 16:55 Loadpot Hill

The Team was called by the Police to reports of a 57-yearold woman from Stockport who had suffered an epileptic fit on the zig-zag path above Kepple Cove. She had been walking with a group when the fit occurred and had initially been assisted by a passing doctor. When Team members arrived, she was still not fully recovered and so was stretchered down to a waiting Team Land Rover. She was driven back to the Team’s Rescue Centre, where a further assessment was conducted by ambulance paramedics before she rejoined her party for the journey back to Manchester.

18/09/2013 14:38 High Street

The Team was called to assist a 45-year-old woman who had fallen and injured her ankle. Patterdale MRT, Penrith MRT and the Great North Air Ambulance were all mobilised to attend the incident given the remote location. Whilst the two mountain rescue teams were assembling, the Air Ambulance managed to reach the scene and evacuate the casualty to hospital in Carlisle.

Rescue

08/09/2013 13:48 Kepple Cove

Rescue

A contractor working on the water supply on the fells above Lyulph’s Tower with a digger was reported missing when he failed to arrive on site. The Team was called by Cumbria Police but stood down almost immediately when he turned up safe and well.

ankle on Red Screes, above the Kirkstone Pass Inn. The Team assessed her on scene, administered pain relief then carried her down to a waiting ambulance. Fourteen Team members were involved for about two hours.

Rescue Search

03/09/2013 13:31 Gowbarrow Park

Rescue

26/08/2013 14:40 Cherry Holme Island

Rescue

The Police contacted the Team with reports of flashing lights seen on the fell above Silver Crag. By the time the informant was interviewed, the lights had gone and a search from the road revealed no sign of anyone on the hill. In the absence of anyone reported missing or overdue, the incident was closed.

31/08/2013 12:50 Boredale Head

The Team was called to the aid of a 16-year-old woman with a suspected fractured ankle. Shel had been ghyll scrambling with an organised party when the accident happened. Upon arrival at scene, the Team assessed the injury, gave pain relief and splinted the ankle before stretchering her off the fell to the waiting Team Land Rover ambulance. The Team then transported the casualty to Pooley Bridge for transfer to an ambulance and onward journey to hospital. The rescue involved nine Team members and took three hours to complete.

15/08/2013 22:10 Silver Crag

The Team was tasked to assist Penrith MRT with a search for a man missing in the High Street area. Whilst this search was starting a second person was reported missing. Both walkers turned up safe and well, but not where they should have been!

young man was treated on scene for a suspected fractured arm by the Team Doctor and then evacuated using the Team’s rigid rescue boat “Patrick Scotty” to the waiting ambulance for transfer to the Cumberland Infirmary Carlisle. The rescue was involved ten members and lasted two hours.

14/08/2013 19:41 High Street

accident happen and alerted the emergency services. The rescue Team together with a doctor and paramedic from the Great North Air Ambulance treated him at the scene. The air ambulance lifted equipment and Team members above the casualty site, but was unable to land close by. Given the man’s location and injuries, a Royal Naval Sea King helicopter from Prestwick kindly assisted with evacuation of the man to hospital.

INCIDENT REPORT x29

The Team was called to assist a couple who were unable to continue their walk. The Team located the missing pair who were tired but uninjured and assisted them back to Patterdale MRT Rescue Centre.

INCIDENT REPORT x31

12/10/2013 15:45 Great Dodd

Cumbria Police requested the assistance of Patterdale MRT to locate a couple who had become disorientated in low cloud in the area of Great Dodd. Initially their location was unknown and a search dog, handler and second Team member were tasked to locate them. Subsequently the Team was able to locate the missing people using the SARLOC system which pinpoints missing people using smartphone technology. They were then located by Team members and escorted safely from the fell. Five Team members were involved for three hours.

Rescue

The Team was called by Cumbria Police to rescue a 16-yearold girl who was reported as unconscious. The girl was part of a group of six teenagers who were undertaking a four-day expedition and passing through the upper Grizedale valley near Patterdale. A passing walker had made the 999 after coming across the group. The Team was unable to call the informant back to get an update on the casualty’s condition or location because the original call had been received as a roaming emergency call. The Team had just finished training in worsening weather conditions when the call came through for assistance. Given the nature of the incident, assistance from the Great North Air Ambulance was requested. However, the winds were too strong for the helicopter and it was forced to turn back. The Team therefore requested assistance from the Air Rescue Coordination Centre in Kinloss and a Sea King helicopter (Rescue 122) from RAF Valley in Anglesey was mobilised. The Team also called for the assistance of Penrith MRT and five members of the RAF Mountain Rescue Service who made their way on foot to the scene. An hour after the initial call the first rescue Team members arrived and assessed the girl. She was then airlifted by the RAF Sea King with another from the group who was mildly hypothermic. Both were flown directly to hospital in Barrow in Furness and were discharged later in the evening.

The helicopter was operating at its limit in the extremely strong gusting winds and the aircrew demonstrated their exceptional skill in assisting with the rapid evacuation of the girls. During the rescue, several Team members described extremely strong gusts of wind which physically picked them up and threw them to the ground. One Patterdale Team member suffered chest injuries. Another teenager from the original group was blown over and suffered minor head injuries. Both were assessed by the Team’s doctor. Whilst the rescue teams were descending to the valley they came across a second organised group of six teenage girls and leader who requested our assistance. All ten teenagers were taken back to Base and given dry clothing, warm drinks and blankets. Mike Blakey, Team Leader said: “In this instance, the weather forecasts had been clear about the strength of the wind and the heavy rain forecast and so this incident and subsequent injuries to Team members may well have been avoidable if the groups had checked on the weather forecast and adapted accordingly.” 29/10/2013 12:31 Hallin Fell

Rescue

Animal

The Team assisted a local farmer to recover a ewe that had become cragfast on Heron Pike. Five Patterdale and one Kendal team members were involved for 3.5 hours. The sheep was safely recovered unscathed.

27/10/2013 13:09 Falcon Crag

The Team was alerted by Police that a 24-year-old man had fallen approximately 200 metres from Striding Edge and into Nethermost Cove. His companion had descended to assist him and, finding him unconscious, had continued his descent into Grisedale where he met a local farmer who gave him a lift down to Patterdale where he had raised the alarm. Given the nature and location, the Team immediately requested the assistance of both the Great North Air Ambulance and an RAF Sea King. In spite of low cloud, the air ambulance was able to drop its paramedic crew and shuttle eight Team members up towards Striding Edge. A search was commenced and Penrith MRT and Search & Rescue Dogs were requested to assist with locating the injured man.

05/10/2013 10:30 Heron Pike

Rescue

04/10/2013 16:26 Striding Edge

Fatality

The Team was called to assist NWAS with the rescue and evacuation of a 26-year-old man who had fallen approximately 30 metres from Auterstone Crag and down towards the path on the Ullswater side of Barton Fell. The casualty was treated on scene for head injuries before being lowered off the fell and transported by Team vehicle to the air ambulance. He was then air lifted to Cumberland Infirmary Carlisle for further assessment. Fifteen members of the Team worked closely with NWAS and Penrith MRT.

When the RAF Sea King arrived on scene, the cloud base had lifted sufficiently for them to assist and the helicopter crew located the casualty from the air. Team members on foot made their way to him over steep loose ground but sadly he had sustained fatal injuries. The Team doctor diagnosed death and his body was lowered in a stretcher to the waiting helicopter in Nethermost Cove. The RAF then evacuated the casualty to Carlisle, escorted by a Team member. The rescue involved sixteen Team members for over four hours.

30/09/2013 17:33 Auterstone Crag

Rescue

30x INCIDENT REPORT

The Team was called by the North West Ambulance Service to assist a man who had fallen and fracture dislocated his ankle. At the time of the callout some members of the Team were assisting the North West Police Diving Unit with the production

INCIDENT REPORT x33

Rescue

Just as the Team was about to head back to Base for a cup of tea, a third callout was received for a 55-year-old man from North Yorkshire who had fallen, again on the same path, injuring his knee and sustaining cuts and bruises to his face. He was treated by the Team and stretchered off to a waiting Team Land Rover. The man was then transferred to Patterdale MRT Base where he was met by his family before onward transfer to hospital. To cover these three incidents, sixteen Team members were involved for over five hours.

20/11/13 19:11 Westside,

The Team was called by Cumbria Police to assist a woman in her 50s. The woman had fallen whilst walking near Lanty’s Tarn above Glenridding and injured her right leg and lower back. After treating her at the scene, the Team carried her down to its waiting Land Rover ambulances for the short drive back to the Rescue Centre. Once there, she was transferred to an NWAS ambulance and taken to the Cumberland Infirmary Carlisle. Eleven team members were involved in the rescue which took two hours. 21/12/2013 09:16 Gowk Hill

Rescue

The Team was called to assist a 33-year-old man from Manchester who had injured his ankle whilst taking part in the Lakeland Trails Event in the Ullswater valley. The man had slipped whilst running on the Howtown to Patterdale lake shore path so the Team launched their boat, Patrick Scotty, to access the casualty’s location. The man was treated at the scene, stretchered down the fell and transferred across the lake to a waiting ambulance.

03/11/2013 13:24 Above Blowick Bay

11/11/2013 18:00 Aira Force

The Team was called by Cumbria Police to begin searching for an overdue walker in the area of Aira Force. Due to the nature of the incident, the Team requested the assistance of search and rescue dogs and seven search dogs and handlers were mobilised. As the search started, the overdue walker was located close to Dalemain by a Team member attending the search. The walker was brought to the location of the search and reunited with his family. The incident was attended by 14 Team members and seven members of LDMRSDA.

03/11/2013 11:04 Silver Point

Rescue

THREE RUNNERS RESCUED IN AS MANY HOURS

Rescue

Fifteen team members were involved in the rescue for over two hours.

03/11/2013 12:06 Sandwick

Whilst the Team was dealing with incident 64, a 35-year-old woman from Oswestry slipped approximately 3km away on the same footpath and fractured her wrist. After calling for help, the woman made her own way to a farmhouse where she was met and treated by a Team member and shortly afterwards transferred to hospital by ambulance. The casualty’s running partner was picked up by the Team in its rescue boat and transported back to Glenridding.

Those Team members who were on the lake proceeded directly and were joined by other members on scene later. The Team administered pain relief to the man, who was in severe pain, and then transported him by stretcher to a waiting ambulance at the Hause, above Howtown. The Team doctor then reduced the man’s fractured ankle and he was transferred to hospital in Carlisle.

of a television documentary on Ullswater. The Team and police were recreating the search for a man who was reported missing in 2012 and has not yet been found.

32x INCIDENT REPORT

At approximately 09:00, a hillwalker knocked on the door of a farmhouse just above Howtown to report that his friend was laying injured on the mountain side. Seventeen hours earlier

the man’s friend had fallen over, fracturing his ankle. With darkness not far away, and with no mobile phone signal, the men chose to find shelter and spend the night on the mountain. They found a derelict building and set about making themselves as comfortable as possible to sit out the longest night of the year - without a doubt a very long night given the storms.

At first light in the morning, the man’s friend descended to the valley to raise the alarm. His 999 call to the Police was relayed to the Team and a short while later fifteen Team members and three Land Rover ambulances were on their way. The Great North Air Ambulance attempted to assist but the atrocious weather prevented the helicopter from getting near. Team members therefore ascended the mountain with the help of the farmer who transported a stretcher and medical equipment as far as his quad bike would go. When the Team arrived at the man’s location he was sheltering under a nylon sheet. He had poor circulation in his foot and the Team treated him for severe pain and placed him in a warm casualty bag. The Team then carried him for about 90 minutes to a waiting Land Rover, which had driven through a river to reach him. He was then transported to hospital. The rescue lasted four and a half hours and the Team would like to thank the farmers for assisting them with the rescue - given the conditions their help was very much appreciated.

INCIDENT REPORT x35

29/12/2013 15:38 Swirral Edge

Rescue

A male walker fell approximately 130 metres from Swirral Edge, Helvellyn into Brown Cove and another walker, who witnessed the fall called 999. Whilst he was

At the time of the incident a number Team members had just

finished training and made their way by Land Rover to Kepple Cove and then on foot to the scene of the incident. An RAF Sea King helicopter from RAF Boulmer was dispatched and the Great North Air Ambulance requested. The air ambulance flew overhead but was unable to assist due to darkness. Thirteen members of the Team were assisted by a member of Calder Valley MRT, three members of the RAF mountain rescue service and a member of Kendal MRT who were in the area. The male casualty was winched into the Sea King helicopter whilst

Team members assessed and secured the second casualty. The aircraft was then able to return and evacuate the second casualty before both were flown to Cumberland Infirmary Carlisle for further treatment. 29/12/2013 17:05 Helvellyn

The Team was called by a worried relative who was reporting that her son was late back from a walk on Helvellyn. Whilst the Team was gathering information, the man turned up, safe and well.

talking to the Police he saw a woman fall from the same place on the ridge, apparently falling much further than the man. The information available to the Team was sketchy because this initial 999 call came through on the emergency network and the Team was therefore unable to call the informant back. A little while later, the Police received a second 999 call from the woman who had fallen. She had been trying to reach her husband who was the first casualty.

26/12/2013 16:04 Helvellyn

Rescue

34x INCIDENT REPORT

As incident 71 was drawing to a close, Cumbria Police received a 999 call reporting a family of three overdue on Helvellyn. As the Team was responding to the request for assistance, the missing people turned up, safe and well.

A Team member checks for a distal pulse on a casualty with a fractured ankle

36x

x37

Donations

Gift Aid

IF YOU WISH TO MAKE A DONATION TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE PATTERDALE MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM AND BECOME A MEMBER OF THE SUPPORTERS CLUB THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS OF ASSISTING, SOME MORE FINANCIALLY ADVANTAGEOUS THAN OTHERS.

To:- Patterdale Mountain Rescue Association Ltd. I promise to donate for ............................. years/indefinitely the sum of

1. DONATIONS Any donations will be warmly received, preferably by cheque, to the Association’s Treasurer. If you are a taxpayer please use the Gift Aid declaration on page 33.

£ ............................. each month / year commencing ........................................... as shown on the Bankers Order below and this sum is to be treated as Gift Aid. I understand that I must pay Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax equal to the tax Patterdale Mountain Association Ltd. can reclaim on my donation (28p for every £1 given)

2. GIFT AID STANDING ORDER AND BECOME A MEMBER OF THE SUPPORTERS CLUB (minimum contribution of £12 per annum) If you wish to donate regularly, say annually, and you pay income tax at the standard rate, a Gift Aid Standing Order enables the value of your donation to be increased as the Association is able to reclaim the tax paid. All donations are worth 28% more. A Gift Aid Standing Order form is printed on page 33 for your use. Payments are by Bankers Order. PLEASE complete in full and return the whole page to the Association’s Treasurer who will also be pleased to answer any queries.

Signed ............................................................................ Date .......................................................

Instructions to your Bank or Building Society to pay Banker’s Order TO: BANK / BUILDING SOCIETY

3. GIVE AS YOU EARN This is a tax-free way of giving to charities direct from your pay and many employers have agreed to co-operate. The donation is deducted from your pay before your tax deduction is calculated. The Association is registered with the Charities Aid Foundation.

Your Name (in capitals) ........................................................................................................... The Manger Bank/Building Society .................................................................................... Postcode ...........................................................................................................................................

4. SELF ASSESSMENT Tax repayments can be gifted wholly or partially and the Association will also receive the additional benefit of Gift Aid ( 28% ). This method came into effect from April 2004. Please quote our code EAK78XG. Full details are available from the Inland Revenue website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk

Bank A/c Number ....................................................................................................................... Sort Code ........... : ........... : ............ Please pay Barclays Bank, 1 Market Square, Penrith, Cumbria, CAl I 7YB CODE No: 20-66-97 for credit of PMRA Ltd NC No: 50218081

All the Trustees and Team members of the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Association are unpaid volunteers. We make every effort to minimise the administrative costs of running the Team.

the sum of £ .......................... (words)......................................................................................

Charity Name: Patterdale Mountain Rescue Association Ltd Bank code : 20 - 66 - 97 Bank Account No : 50218081 Give as you earn : 006995 Charity Commission Reg No : 1063329

as a gift aid donation commencing

(date of first payment) and thereafter every month / year until

or indefinitely and debit my/our account accordingly.

The Association’s Treasurer is The Honorary Treasurer, PMRT Association Ltd Ogilvie House, Patterdale, Cumbria CA11 0PJ

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS accounts A copy of the audited ained obt be y for the year ma Treasurer n’s atio oci Ass the m fro e a S.A.E. by request. Please enclos 61/2” x 9”.

Supporter Number

Signed.............................................................................. Date........................................................

38x

x39 Supporter Number

please join our SUPPORTERS’ club

Supporters’ Club Membership Form

There are five categories of membership, all of which entitle you to ongoing contact via the Team’s newsletter, Patrick Relay and our Annual Report. As a token of our appreciation for your support we will also ensure that all Supporters receive a car sticker and, in the case of those able to make a longer term commitment, a unique membership badge.

To join the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team Supporters Club complete this form and send to: The Honorary Treasurer, Patterdale Mountain Rescue Association Ltd, Ogilvie House, Patterdale, Cumbria CA11 0PJ Name ........................................................................................................Title .............................. Address................................................................................................................................................ ...........................................Post Code.................................................. Date.................................. Please enrol me as a member of the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team Supporters Club under the following membership level (please tick appropriate boxes).

Individual 5 Year Membership (min £60) Family 1 Year Membership (min £25) Family 5 Year Membership (min donation £125.) Lifetime Membership (min £500) £.........................................

Gift Aid Declaration. To be signed by taxpayers Please treat my donations to PMRA Ltd as Gift Aid Donations I understand that I must pay Income or Capital Gains Tax equal to the tax deducted from this and all future donations (28p for every pound you give) Signed ............................................................

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Individual 1 Year Membership (min £12)

I enclose cheque / PO for

Individual 1 Year Membership A minimum contribution of £12

Lifetime Membership A minimum contribution of £500

The Honorary Treasurer: PMRA Ltd. Ogilvie House, Patterdale, Cumbria CA11 0PJ

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BE PART OF THE TEAM

Buy a y qualit nt garme rt ppo and su m a the Te

x41 All photos by award winning photographer John Williams

Greeting

CARDS A

10 Cards & Envelopes for £7.50 including UK p&p All cards are blank inside

Childrens’ Sweatshirt £12.50 SHIRT SWEAT Adults’ Sweatshirt £18.50

Figures on Striding (160 x 110mm) B

Childrens’ Polo Shirt £10.00 Adults’ Polo Shirt

Early Morning Glow

£15.00

Adults’ T-Shirt

Ullswater (160 x 110mm) A

(160 x 110mm) C

POLO S

HIRT

£10.00

All clothing features the Team supporter logo embroidered on the breast

Beyond Mardale (160 x 110mm) D D E

Helvellyn (225 x 160mm) E F

Winter Training

Also available: Small Teddy Bear Ballpoint Pen with team name

(160 x 110mm) F

£2.50

T T-SHIR

£0.70

Fallow Deer (210 x 99mm) G H

East Face of Helvellyn in snow (210 x 99mm) H

Jotter pad & pencil £1.00 Mugs £5.00 Baseball Caps

£8.50

Keyrings £0.50

Winter Climb (160 x 110mm) I

Winter on Ullswater (160 x 110mm) J K

Rescue (160 x 110mm) K Cherry Holme Island (160 x 110mm) L

Add UK Postage & Packing: Sweatshirts £2.50 • Teddy Bears £1.00 Ballpoint Pens £0.50 • Pad & pencil £1.00 • Mugs £2.50 Baseball Caps £1.00 • Keyrings £0.50 Please pay by cheque made out to PMRA Ltd or buy online SEND TO: Jacquie Freeborn, Motherby House, Motherby, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0RJ Telephone 017684 83368 • E-mail jacquie@motherbyhouse.co.uk

Angle Tarn (160 x 110mm) M Sunrise at Norfolk Island (160 x 110mm) N

Eusemere Bay (160 x 110mm) O

or Assorted Mixed Pack of 10

M N

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As this Report was going to press, the Team began celebrating its 50th anniversary. It is now 50 years since the formation of the Patterdale Mountain RescueTeam by local GP, Dr James Ogilvie, after whom our Rescue Centre is named.

Since its beginnings in 1964, the Team has attended more than 2,000 call outs in the mountains around Patterdale and on Ullswater and has witnessed many changes in gear, in navigation and communications technology and in access to the mountains and lakeside. Members of the Team have also been involved in search and rescue on a national and international scale and attended incidents as wide ranging as severe floods in Carlisle, the train crash at Grayrigg and the Lockerbie air disaster. Throughout those five decades, the Team has relied on you, its supporters, for funding and we should like to thank you, especially in our anniversary year.

The Grisedale valley

‘An excellent family park with all the amenities”…… Mr S, Durham

NEW FOR 2013 - HOLIDAY HOMES FOR HIRE

H O L I D A Y

P A R K

THE LAKE DISTRICT

TOURING • CAMPING • PODS • HOLIDAY HOME SALES

Commendium excels at solving problems using analytic and statistical evidence. Evidence may be gathered using surveys, desktop research, interviews, standard methods or a number of special internet tools we have developed ourselves.

Commendium excels at solving problems We haveanalytic all the necessary and tools evidence. to process information using and skills statistical Evidence and provide statistacally robust analysis leading to informed may be gathered using surveys, desktop decisions or policy making. We specialise in areas where there are many customers, clients or standard voters. When methods required to, weor make research, interviews, recommendations and will give advise based on testable evidence. aWenumber of special internet tools we have are versatile having completed assignments throughout the UK, Europe and in North America. developed ourselves.

Commendium

Set in 50 acres of natural wooded parkland on the banks of the River Lowther, our David Bellamy Award Winning Park makes the ideal choice for your touring and camping holiday. Many of our guests return year after year drawn in by the magic of our beautiful park and the excellent range of facilities that we offer. Our pitches are kept in pristine condition with parking spaces alongside and 10 amp electric hook up. Seasonal touring pitches are also available. Why not try out our new POD’s …… ‘21st Century’ camping in style Timber pods are an eco-friendly alternative to camping. You basically bring everything you need for camping, minus the tent! We have a standard Pod and a larger family Pod.

WeEvidence-based have all the necessary skills and tools to decision making, process information provide statistacally research, analysis &and marketing robust analysis leading to informed decisions 030 11 90000 www.commendium.com or policy making. We specialise in areas where there are many customers, clients or voters. Commendium excels at solving problems analytic and statistical When required to, we makeusing recommendations evidence. Evidence may be gathered using surveys, desktop research, and willstandard give advise based onoftestable evidence. interviews, methods or a number special internet tools we have developed ourselves.

We are versatile having completed We have all the necessary skills and tools to process information and provide statistacally robust analysisthe leading to informed assignments throughout UK, Europe and decisions or policy making. We specialise in areas where there North America. are many customers, clients or voters. When required to, we make recommendations and will give advise based on testable evidence. We are versatile having completed assignments throughout the UK, Europe and in North America.

Commendium

T: 01768 863631 E: info@lowther-holidaypark.co.uk

www.lowther-holidaypark.co.uk

Evidence-based decision making, research, analysis & marketing 030 11 90000 www.commendium.com

superb hospitality...

gastronomic delights...

Within one of the most spectacular settings in the Lake District with lawns sweeping to the shores of Ullswater; we look forward to welcoming you to the beautiful Inn on the Lake. Experience award-winning dining and superb service in our Lake View Restaurant. Unwind in our lounges. Enjoy afternoon tea in our stunning Orangery. Relax in our traditional bar offering everything from Sunday roasts to real ales. Proud to support the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team

APPLEBY OFFICE APPLEBY OFFICE 7 Boroughgate T.017683 7 Boroughgate T.017683 51591 51591 Appleby CA16 E. info@heelis.co.uk Appleby CA16 6XF6XF E. info@heelis.co.uk

Residential property specialists for the Eden Valley and North Lakes www.wilkesgreenhill.co.uk 01768 867999 9-10 Angel Lane, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7BP

THE ROYAL HOTEL DOCKRAY, MATTERDALE

Country inn with ten bedrooms serving fresh, seasonal produce from the Lowther Estate.

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Meals available every Lunchtime and Evening Private Function Catering 10 Ensuite Bedrooms TV & Tea Making Facilities TEL: GLENRIDDING (017684) 82356 info@the-royal-dockray.co.uk

01768 865 381

www.georgeanddragonclifton.co.uk Clifton, CA10 2ER – just two miles from Penrith on the A6

SALES – SERVICE – REPAIRS

To unlock the potential in young people through discovery and adventure in the wild. The Outward Bound Trust’s Mission Statement.

At Outward Bound® we give young people a fresh perspective on life – a perspective that has real and lasting benefits. For more information please call 01931 740000 or visit www.outwardbound.org.uk Unit 58, Gilwilly Road, Gilwilly Industrial Estate, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 09B

01768 864557

www.penrithtoolhire.co.uk

QUEENS HEAD INN Tirril

These boats were made for walking!

Open for Lunchtime & Evening Meals Daily 7 Bedrooms - Open all year round

Camping

on the shore of the magnificent Ullswater lake. Come to Side Farm, Patterdale PROPRIETORS: Robin & Andrea Taylforth Telephone: Glenridding (017684) 82337

Stoneleigh

Communications

s The right word ple to the right peo in the right way

01539 624732 sally@stoneleighcomms.co.uk www.stoneleighcomms.co.uk

The ‘Steamers’ provide the perfect opportunity to combine a cruise with some of the most famous, spectacular and scenic walks in the Lake District. www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk Tel: 017684 82229

Video Production & Graphic Design

OPEN ALL YEAR

Hot Sandwiches! Bacon Baps Cumberland Sausage baguettes and more...

Hand scooped English Lakes Ice Cream

Delicious Homemade Bread!

Patterdale Village Store & Post Office T 017684 82220

www.patterdalevillagestore.co.uk

Music and Band Videos Event Filming Documentary Web Video Corporate

+44 (0)1768 899902 viscomvideo.com Chartered architectural practice providing a personal and professional service combining environmental principles, contemporary design and vernacular architectural tradition.

Graham K Norman Architect CHARTERED PRACTICE

UNIT 4 MERESIDE GREENBANK ROAD EDEN BUSINESS PARK PENRITH, CUMBRIA CA11 9FB 01768 868274 mail@grahamknorman.co.uk

Equestrian & Livestock Bedding Shavings, Sawdust and Paper Bedding

Available in Bales and Bulk Cost effective and easy to use Delivered to your door or available for collection

Place your order by telephone on: 01768 214656 / 657 or 01931 712644 Haweswater Road, Penrith Industrial Estate, Penrith, Cumbria. CA11 9EU

Motherby House Bed & Breakfast

also Self catering cottage Walkers, climbers, c2c cyclists and muddy boots welcome!

017684 83368 enquiries@motherbyhouse.co.uk www.motherbyhouse.co.uk

Park Foot Caravan and Camping Park www.parkfootullswater.co.uk Come and enjoy our family run site set in magnificent scenery situated beside lake Ullswater • Licenced Bar & Resteraunt with Take-Away • Access to Ullswater from the park • Direct access to Barton Fell for walking • Adventure playground for 8-14’s • Play ground for under 8’s

Ratchers Tavern Pub and Restaurant, Kilners Coffee House, Excellent Hotel Bedrooms, Everything you may need during your visit to Ullswater Glenridding, Ullswater, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0PB Telephone: Glenridding (017684) 82228 Fax: Glenridding (017684) 82555 Web Site: www.bw-glenriddinghotel.co.uk

FACILITIES INCLUDE • Pitches with electric hook ups • Mountain bike hire & Pony Trekking • Games room with Sky TV • Family entertainment • Well stocked shop and Launderette SELF CATERING CHALETS, COTTAGE AND HOLIDAY CARAVAN & LODGE SALES Pooley Bridge Lake Ullswater Lake District Cumbria CA10 2NA Tel: 017684 86309 email:holidays@parkfootullswater.co.uk

Glenridding Mini Market The Village Food Store

Locally made Ice Cream- Frozen Food - Fruit and Veg Groups catered for A large range of locally made Cumbrian products including the famous Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding

REEDS ADVERT TO PLACE

Slacks Cumberland Sausages Wines from 20 countries around the world Lindisfarne Fruit Wines and Mead Home made filled rolls and sandwiches during the season A full range of groceries and non-foods Cumberland Cheese Fresh meats during the season Preserves - Pickles Over 250 bottled UK and canned Beers MobilePhone Top Ups

Opposite Main Car Park Glenridding All Credit Cards accepted

Tel/Fax: 017684 82322, E-Mail us at: ajbglenmin@aol.com

Lowther Castle & Gardens www.lowthercastle.org tel: 01931 712192 Dramatic castle ruins fronting 130 acres of historic lost gardens, on the eastern edge of the Lake District. Courtyard cafĂŠ & shop. Lowther, Penrith, CA10 2HH.

Superior Self Catering Holiday Accommodation in Glenridding close to Lake Ullswater in the Heart of the Lake District Tel: 01768 864204 Mobile: 07734852169 www.keldasviewcottage.com

By advertising in this Annual Report our advertisers support Patterdale Mountain Rescue. Please support them.

At the award-winning Quiet Site holiday park, we quietly go about our business of encouraging exploration of our beautiful Ullswater location. We barely whisper that we do as much as we can to protect our environment, through a green approach to energy, waste, conservation and wildlife protection.

North Country Inns Small Hotels & Inns of Distinction

Heard murmurs about our community responsibility programme? It’s our way of saying thank you by supporting Patterdale Mountain Rescue and other causes that enrich our daily lives.

The Bracakenrigg Inn

Ullswater Cumbria CA11 0LP 017684 86206 info@brackenriginn.co.uk www.brackenrigginn.co.uk

“As they say, actions speak louder than words”

www.thequietsite.co.uk 07768 727016

These boats were made for walking!

The ‘Steamers’ provide the perfect opportunity to combine a cruise with some of the most famous, spectacular and scenic walks in the Lake District. www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk Tel: 017684 82229

The Bull Hotel

Main Street Sedbergh Cumbria LA10 5BL 015396 20264 reception@ bullhotelsedbergh.co.uk www. bullhotelsedbergh.co.uk

The Queens

Warwick-on-Eden Carlisle Cumbria CA4 8PA 01228 562283 reception@thequeens-warwick-on-eden.co.uk www.thequeens-warwick-on-eden.co.uk

www.ncinns.co.uk

WHY IT PAYS TO GO SOLAR These boats were made for walking!

The ‘Steamers’ provide the perfect opportunity to combine a cruise with some of the most famous, spectacular and scenic walks in the Lake District. www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk Tel: 017684 82229

With the right roof, our SOLAR PV systems can return around , ta free and inaon-linked for 25 years. You will get decades of FREE electricity and also help to save the planet which is far eer than keeping money in any SA We are the region’s longest established and most experienced installers. Contact us now for a FREE site visit and no oligation quote

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tel 017684 87220

Helping business every step of the way LOWE & WHITWELL CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

134 HIGHGATE, KENDAL LA9 4HL TELEPHONE KENDAL (01539) 721591

New ways to give, support and donate As technology changes and develops, we have introduced alternative means of fundraising for Patterdale MRT and easy ways to give or to share news of your support. In case you arenâ€™t aware of some of them, please consider them, try them out and tell your friends and family: there is nothing better for publicity than word of mouth! Patterdale MRT is registered (through its administrative organisation, Patterdale Mountain Rescue Association) with the following online services:

BTs mydonate This is one where every penny of fundraising, sponsorship or an online donation goes direct to the Team, including Gift Aid. Find out more at: www.btplc.com/mydonate

Virgin Money Giving. This is a not-for-profit organisation and you can include Gift Aid in any donation. Find out more at

JustGiving, which includes Gift Aid but makes a small charge. Find out more at: www.justgiving.com

Giveacar, a not-for-profit social enterprise that raises money for charity by accepting donations of old cars. It gives car owners a simple way to get rid of their unwanted cars and put them to good use, raising money for the charity of their choice. Find out more at: www.giveacar.co.uk Telephone: 0207 736 4242 or email support@giveacar.co.uk

Shopping online Register with www.easyfundraising.org.uk to support Patterdale MRT and, as long as you go in via their link for any future online shopping, up to 15% from each purchase will be donated to Patterdale MRT. There are no extra costs involved and all sorts of retailers, including Amazon, Argos, M&S, eBay, John Lewis and Viking participate. Find out more at: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/patterdalemr

For Mountain Rescue call 999

• Dial ‘999’ – ask for CUMBRIA POLICE – then MOUNTAIN RESCUE. • Provide details of who you are, your group size and their condition, your current location (Grid Reference if possible), and a contact number. • Keep yourself and your group safe and warm, protected from the weather and wait for the Mountain Rescue team to contact you with further instructions. • Do not move unless asked to by the Mountain Rescue - mobile signals vary and moving just a small distance may lose a mobile signal.