Broad Crag Col, Scafell Pike – Sun 30th Aug 2026

Cumbria Police received a call about a male suffering severe cramp and unable to walk. Due to the group’s location, police were unable to obtain a grid reference for the party of three, and as the 999 call was on a roaming network, no location information was available to them. It took around two and a half hours to obtain location information, as there was no phone signal at the casualty’s position. The casualty’s friend had to walk back uphill from the location to get a signal and call for help, which allowed the team leader to locate the group.

As the casualty was becoming cold, the team deployed, along with Maritime and Coastguard Agency Rescue 897. R897 was unable to get on scene due to low cloud but was able to uplift some team members to speed their approach. Once on scene, the team assessed the casualty, warmed him up, and gave food and water; he then attempted to walk off. R897 returned to assist with extracting the casualty and taking him to Keswick. Keswick Mountain Rescue Team were contacted to help with a landing site at Crow Park, but this was not possible due to weather conditions.

As the casualty was unable to walk any further, he was placed in a stretcher and carried down to the team vehicles, then taken back to base. No taxi was required that night, as the group were staying local, only a few minutes’ drive from Wasdale base — though they did need a taxi the following morning to reach their car, which was still at Seathwaite Farm.

Thanks were extended to R897 and Keswick MRT for their assistance.