Rescue workers urge caution for hikers ahead of clocks going back
A hiker was left stranded on Helvellyn on Wednesday after it got dark
A lone walker has been airlifted to hospital with hypothermia after being overtaken by darkness on Helvellyn.
Potterdale Mountain Rescue Team was tasked by Cumbria Police at 6.30pm on Wednesday (October 21st).
The walker was unable to descend safely and was becoming severely cold in deteriorating summit conditions, the team said.
The rescue
14 team members were deployed, covering various routes to converge on the summit. Temperatures at the top were between 1C and 2C, feeling closer to -4C.
There was a westerly wind of 13 to 16mph, gusting to 35mph, along with snow. The casualty was found, assessed and was suffering from hypothermia.
Because of the conditions and the casualty's medical state, a Coastguard helicopter was requested. The helicopter airlifted the casualty to hospital.
The team described the crew's flying in extremely difficult conditions as exceptional. The team was stood down at 1.15am after an operation lasting six hours 45 minutes. In total, 14 volunteers gave a combined 94½ hours of their time.
Safety advice
Matt Cox, Team Leader, said: "Visitors to the Lakes are reminded that the weather on the high fells can often be far more serious than that in the valley bottom."
With the clocks going back this weekend, the team urged anyone heading into the hills to carry a torch and spare batteries. It said being caught out by darkness is one of the most common reasons it is called out.
The team also advised people to check the mountain weather forecast before setting off, not just the forecast for the valley, and to be prepared to turn back if conditions change.
It added that the summit will still be there another day.
The team thanked the Coastguard helicopter crew for their assistance, saying their skill and professionalism in terrible weather made a very significant difference to the outcome.
It wished the casualty a swift recovery.