Black Crag (105)

Callout Date: 27/09/2025
Callout Time: 10:20 am
Agencies Involved: Keswick MRT, NWAS, GNAAS

A lead climber on The Shroud, a VS rock climb on Black Crag in Borrowdale, was pulling up on an overhang when the block he was hanging on came off and the man fell. The falling rock missed the man but hit his female belayer on the ledge some 5-6m below causing significant injuries. Another climber at the bottom of the crag caught a glancing blow from the block but was largely unhurt. The man was able to tandem abseil down to the base of the crag with his belayer as the team arrived on scene. Medics from Keswick MR and GNAAS Helimed 58 assessed and treated the casualties before stretchering the belayer down to the helicopter for onward transfer to hospital. A Coast Guard helicopter had also been requested in case a winch from the crag was required but was stood down.

Subsequently a small team returned to Black Crag to abseil down and retrieve the gear that had been left and also assess the climb. Another large loose block remains and the climb is considered dangerous. Climbing websites and press have been informed to get the message across to the climbing community.

21 team members- 3 hours 25 minutes