A MAN who prompted a 48-hour search in sub-zero temperatures paid a special visit to the mountain rescue team which saved his life.

In January last year, Richard Cockerham went missing while climbing Scafell Pike, sparking a huge emergency search.

Concerned family members contacted Cumbria Police after he set off to climb the mountain and then failed to contact his family again. Police subsequently called Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team.

The treacherous weather made the search extremely difficult and teams from across Cumbria and further afield were called in to assist.

At the height of the search, it involved more than 70 team members, plus Coastguard helicopter crews and 12 specially-trained search dogs.

Mr Cockerham was eventually found having suffered a suspected fall in the Silverybield Crag area, heading towards the Upper Eskdale area. He was stuck in boggy ground.

The 29-year-old, from Leeds, was airlifted to Furness General Hospital, in Barrow, with injuries to his wrists and legs and suffering from mild hypothermia.

Since his miraculous escape 18 months ago, Mr Cockerham is still in recovery from his ordeal but was determined to thank those who saved his life.

Over the weekend he paid a special visit to Wasdale Mountain Rescues new base in Gosforth and made a large donation.

Richard Warren, chairman of the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association, and a member of the Wasdale team, recalled the rescue: “I honestly thought we were looking for a body.

“The company who Mr Cockerham works for hosted a charity auction and they chose the mountain rescue team to be the recipients.”

The total raised to date is more than £3,000 for the team, and Mr Cockerham and his girlfriend came to personally drop the donation off.

Mr Warren added: “It is always great to meet up with those we have rescued, family members and friends. We wish them both well.

“A remarkable success story of survival.”