By Chris Story

Last updated at 14:10, Friday, 03 April 2009

A walker suffered a suspected fractured skull and spinal injuries after falling 60 feet at Borrowdale yesterday.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team were called out to help the man, discovered at Grains Ghyll by other passing walkers descending from the fell at about 8.15pm.

They initially found one of the casualty’s walking poles on the track – then spotted him lying below them.

Some of the party who found him descended to Seathwaite to alert the rescue team, who were called out just before 8.50pm.

Twenty-five team members, who had been returning from a training exercise, were involved in the rescue – backed up by an RAF Sea King helicopter from Valley in Anglesey.

A spokesman said: “The casualty was treated at the scene by team members – including a paramedic – his injuries including a suspected fractured skull and possible spinal injuries.

“Due to the location, the helicopter was unable to winch the casualty directly from his position.

“The team hoisted the casualty on a stretcher up out of the ghyll and carried the stretcher to the waiting helicopter.”

The man was airlifted to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.

Mountain rescuers were involved until 12.45am.

First published at 11:34, Friday, 03 April 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk