Walker rescued after overnight Lake District mountain search

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 17:28 · Archive

A walker was found by his flashing head torch after an overnight search on Scafell Pike in the Lake District.

A walker was found by rescuers spotting his flashing head torch after an overnight search in the Lake District. Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team was called at 10.16pm on Friday, October 23, after Cumbria Police received a report from the man's mother that her son was overdue from a walk on Scafell Pike. His phone could not be located using PhoneFind and his last known position had been Taylor Gill Force at 10.30am, leaving rescuers with a large potential search area.

Several mountain rescue teams were deployed across the Wasdale area. At around 2.40am, members of Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team spotted a flashing head torch and found the man in Upper Esk. He had been sitting there since around 6pm and was described as 'very cold and exhausted'. He had put on all his spare clothing, but both his phone and power bank had run out of charge, leaving him unable to call for help.

Rescuers assessed and warmed the man before requesting an immediate evacuation. Coastguard Rescue 912 was deployed and airlifted the casualty and Duddon and Furness team members down the valley. The search involved Wasdale, Duddon and Furness, Keswick, Langdale Ambleside and Cockermouth mountain rescue teams, alongside Coastguard rescue helicopters. The incident ended at 7.34am after more than nine hours.

Wasdale MRT said the incident was a 'stark reminder' to plan for conditions, with snow having been present on the summit of Scafell Pike earlier that day. The team urged walkers to carry a head torch, spare warm clothing and a fully charged power bank. The rescue team added: 'In this case, the head torch is what allowed rescuers to find him.'

How it is being reported

• Cold and exhausted walker found by head torch after Lake District searchA cold and exhausted walker was found after an overnight Lake District search when rescuers spotted his flashing head torch.Cumberland News · 24 Oct, 17:05
• Cold and exhausted walker found by head torch after Lake District searchA cold and exhausted walker was found after an overnight Lake District search when rescuers spotted his flashing head torch.Westmorland Gazette · 24 Oct, 17:05
• Cold and exhausted walker found by head torch after Lake District searchA cold and exhausted walker was found after an overnight Lake District search when rescuers spotted his flashing head torch.Whitehaven News · 24 Oct, 17:05

In this story: Scafell Pike · Lake District · Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team · Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team · Coastguard Rescue 912 · Cumbria Police

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