Scafell – Wed 23rd Aug 2023

We were called by Cumbria Police about a male walker who was reported to have slipped on scree very close to the summit of Scafell. He had injured his hip and could not weight bear. A full callout was made and with slightly low numbers for a long stretcher carry Duddon and Furness MRT were again asked for help.

After a long pull up via Green How in rapidly deteriorating weather conditions, the casualty site was reached. The walker had actually taken a tumble fall, and alongside the very painful hip injury had suffered multiple minor injuries. A bivvy shelter was established to provide warmth for the casualty, his friend and his dog, as a medical assessment was made. With the arrival of further team members he was made as comfortable as possible in a casualty bag and vacuum mattress, with additional pain relief provided for the stretcher carry.

A long and arduous carry then commenced, with no prospect of air support in pretty miserable conditions. Initially this was on steep scree, with slow progress made on wet and unstable ground. Once on the grass a mixture of carrying, sledging and the wheel were used with and without rope protection, according to conditions. After close to four hours, the walker was then handed over to a land ambulance waiting at Brackenclose. He was then transferred to hospital for further assessment and treatment. The respective teams finally returned to bases, overwhelmed their drying rooms and restocked vehicles.

We wish the walker well on his recovery and hope to see him back on the fells soon. Huge thanks to Duddon and Furness MRT for their help once again, and also to the passing walker and his son who helped by calling the alert in and providing initial support.