Woman killed in Lakes mountain tragedy
Last updated 16:52, Monday, 01 September 2008
A MUM has died after falling 200ft down a Lake District mountain.
Emma Anderson's six-year-old daughter, Sarah, and the father Graham also fell while walking at a height of around 2,000ft on Friday afternoon.
All three were airlifted by RAF Sea King helicopters to the Cumberland Infirmary after a rescue operation at Blencathra, between Penrith and Keswick.
The family, from Peterborough in Cambridgeshire, were walking on the Sharp Edge ridge, which was described as “wet and slippy”.
The alarm was raised at about 2.30pm by two people who were stranded on a crag and have since been helped down.
Graham and Sarah were found first and transported to hospital by RAF helicopter.
At 6pm the 38-year-old woman was on her way to the hospital in a second helicopter. It was at the Cumberland Infirmary she was pronounced dead.
The father was discharged from hospital on Monday.
I was on the Langdale Pikes on Saturday afternoon at the same time that this tragic event happened. On the way up Stickle Ghyll I must have passed about 10 family groups with young kids wearing inadequate clothing, little sparkly disco trainers, no water bottles (Saturday was a *really* sticky, humid, sweaty day)etc etc . If this group were properly prepared, then fair enough but I can't help wondering whether they were up without proper gear. Sharp Edge is a wonderful walk but ... with a 6 year old??!!
Bungalow Bill
View all comments on this article
Have your say
In response to James' comment. Not everyone has the local knowledge that we Cumbrians have and I'm sure if they had realised the danger they wouldn't have put their child at risk. I've had a scary moment up there myself and wonder whether better warnings could be provided on O/S maps and guidebooks.
Posted by Angus on 3 September 2008 kl. 08:02