- Incident
- 146 in 2024
- Type
- Full Callout — Injured & Medical
- Location
- Lingmell Col, Scafell Pike
- Weather
- Cloudy Summits, Windy
- Other Agencies
- Coastguard, Cumbria Police, Rescue 936 from Caernarfon
- Diagnosis
- Medical
The team was called by Cumbria Police about a walker who had become unwell after suffering from a suspected severe panic attack. She was unable to make further progress, having turned back before reaching the summit. A band of rain and continuing strong winds created a very cold environment with a risk of hypothermia.
The team was called out quickly and, with Helimed support already committed elsewhere, and with a variable cloud base, a Coastguard helicopter was requested. Rescue 936 responded from Caernarfon. An advance party managed to get on scene first but unfortunately the descending cloud base prevented direct helicopter support.
Once on scene the walker was assessed and rewarmed with multiple dry insulating layers and heat blankets. After taking on water, glucose and further treatment, the walker had recovered significantly. An attempt to walk off was made with the stretcher now also ready to deploy and Rescue 936 standing by in the valley.
Thankfully, the walker was able to make her own way off the fell with support from team members. She was then driven by her partner in their own vehicle for a further precautionary assessment at hospital. We hope she is fully recovered from her very difficult day on the fell.
Thanks to the crew of Rescue 936 for their response, and also to the two walkers who stopped to help and gave up their extra layers, becoming pretty cold themselves by the time we arrived.
Incident started at 14:27 and ended at 19:40 making 5.2 hrs in total. There were 16 Wasdale team members involved and the incident occured at NY 21000 07700. Total rescuer hours: 83
