An experienced mountaineer who helps save the lives of others in the Lake District had to be rescued himself after a horror fall which left him with multiple serious injuries.

Ed Docwra, 37, has spent the last week in Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, after coming into difficulty and plummeting about 8m at a spot above Blea Water, Haweswater.

He had to be rescued by colleagues from Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team - where he volunteers - and another 40 rescuers from across the county who rushed to his aid.

Mr Docwra, from Berrier, near Penrith, had been out climbing with friend and fell top assessor Graham Uney who was immediately able to administer first aid.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Docwra has for the first time revealed the extent of his injuries.

He said: "Well as I guess many are aware it's been a week since I thought I'd try skydiving instead of winter climbing, taking a bit of a fall at Blea Tarn Crags that resulted in six broken ribs, a fractured scapula, my L1 vertebrae being broken into five bits, a pneumothorax and a small bleed on the brain.

"I'm doing well though thanks to the efforts of many."

Mr Docwra also praised the work of his mountain rescue colleagues.

"I'd like to thank my friends and colleagues in Penrith, Kirby Stephen and Patterdale MRTs and hope that I provided a suitably realistic scenario for you to work through, at times I thought I may have taken the realism a little too far though in the search for authenticity," he added.

"In all seriousness though, thank you for coming to my aid. Like I am sure many mountain rescue members have previously thought I always said I'd rather crawl off than have to call a team out, particularly when one would be my own team.

"However, when you're knocked out and then can't physically move that changes a bit and I wasn't half glad to know you were all coming and the skills that you brought."

The conditions were so bad on the night of the rescue that the operation lasted about eight hours and needed the support of two helicopters, one from the coastguard and the Great North Air Ambulance.

Mr Docwra continued: "All the staff at the RVI thank you for your care and putting up with me including putting the reigns on me when I want to do too much too soon.

"All have made a difference including doctors, nurses, OTs, physios, housekeeping staff, radiographers and others whose uniform I'm still to decipher.

"And how can I leave out my family. The amazing Kirsty who's been through so much over recent years and has dealt with this alas usual in her stride when really all we needed was for something to go smoothly.

"Can I hang on to you for another ten years? And the boys thanks for looking after mummy, making me smile smile."