Corridor Route (93)

Callout Date: 06/10/2021
Callout Time: 6:50 pm
Agencies Involved: Keswick MRT, GNAAS, Coast Guard Helicopter

Rescuing the rescuers! This was a rather unusual callout after a busy day for Lakes Mountain Rescue teams, the Coast Guard and GNAAS air ambulance crews. On their second serious incident of the day on Scafell Pike the Wasdale MR team along with the helimed doctor and paramedic had been ferried to the top of Scafell Pike by Coast Guard Rescue 936 from Caernarfon to attend to a seriously ill casualty. Whilst on top the cloud level dropped to below summit level with almost zero visibility meaning the helicopter was no longer able to operate. This also meant that the casualty needed to be stretchered off the mountain rather than being helicoptered. Initial hopes of being able to get below cloud to enable a helicopter pickup were dashed and all crew proceeded on foot. In deteriorating conditions and fading light Keswick team were tasked to assist in the evacuation of the helimed crew and their heavy kit back to Seathwaite whilst the Caernarfon winchman could descend with Wasdale team members back to the Coast Guard helicopter still parked in the Wasdale valley. In drenching rain and gusty winds the team descended back to Seathwaite, the two helimed crew having not eaten properly since breakfast. Crisps, flapjack and chocolate bars had rarely tasted so good! A Keswick team member then drove the GNAAS crew back to their base at Langwathby for a long overdue cuppa, hot shower and bed.

5 team members – 5 hours and 50 mins