Rescue on the Corridor Route

Greta Gill Crossing

Sunday 23 January 2005

5/6:8/1/05 (1.30 pm) - Sunday

Call to the team leader from the Barn Door shop, Wasdale Head to report a 60 year old injured male walker on the corridor who had fallen into Greta Gill.  He had sustained a gashed head and other injuries.  The team were called out and the police notified that a rescue was in hand.  The injured walker had fallen approximately 15 foot after slipping on the ice whilst crossing the stream, directly at the top of the gill.  After the team had arrived on scene it was quickly decided to call a helicopter due to the nature of his injuries, the location, the potential for hypothermia and the difficulty of the carry down.  He had sustained fractured ribs, broken collarbone, gashed head, fractured ankle and compound fracture of his thumb.  He was airlifted to West Cumberland Hospital by RAF Sea King helicopter from RAF Boulmer in the north east.  There were 17 team members on the fell and the incident closed at 5.30 pm.

A letter was received from the injured walker after he had recovered sufficiently to go home.  It has been recreated at the foot of this page so that other walkers like you get an appreciation of how easily accident can, and do happen. 

Start of the rescue at bottom of Great Gable where the advance vehicle is parked up.  Julian Carradice, Team Leader (left) and Mike Greene, Team Doctor are quick off the mark.
The casualty was a 60 year old male who had slipped from the ice covered path approximately 15 foot to 20 foot above this location.  He sustained a gash to the head, fractured collarbone, ribs and ankle. He also had a compound fracture of the thumb.  He was extremely cold and required helicopter evacuation
	Warm inside the bivvy shelter and being administered treatment for his injuries.  The red rucksack is the casualty care sack which contains everything from analgesia to bandages and splintage.  He was also given oxygen.
The Bell stretcher has been assembled from it's two halves and is ready to be loaded with the casualty.  The only safe evacuation is up the steep sided gulley towards the camera location
The casualty is safely secure in the stretcher and ready for winching into the helicopter, already positioning itself in the strong winds.
	RAF Sea King helecopter arrives on scene
The RAF Winchman is lowered down to the casualty site to make sure that everything is right for the lift and to accompany  and guide the loaded stretcher up and into the helicopter doorway.
	Assessing the casualty site from the air
	The first person into the helicopter is Team Doctor, Mike Greene who will accompany the casualty to West Cumberland Hospital (where Mike also works as the Accident Emergency Department Consultant).
Helicopter moves away from the casualty site to take the doctor on board
The Sea King helicopter maneuvers itself into position, ready to winch the stretcher
Winchman is now connected to the stretcher and to the helicopter ready for the lift
	Winchman and casualty are lifted from the mountainside while the team members huddle together in the fierce downdraft.  All loose items are well secured.  It is only 5 minutes flying time to the local hospital in Whitehaven where the Casualty department team are ready and waiting.
Off to the warmth of West Cumberland Hospital - Great Gable in the background

Greta Gill Rescue  - 8 January 2005

 Letter dated           3rd  March 3, 2005


Dear Richard

Living and having worked in the Mersey Valley with all the urban sprawl and resultant forms of
pollution to be able to visit the Lakeland Fells and Mountains gives me great pleasure.  There is
nothing better than a pleasant winters day walking on the fells.  There I was in company with my
son enjoying a walk to Scafell via the corridor route.  We stopped to take a few photographs by
Greta Gill.  The last thing I can remember before my accident I was standing on the path watching
my son packing away his camera.  I cannot recollect tripping or slipping on ice I just remember
coming to in freezing cold water and in quite a lot of pain.  My son managed to move me to a more
comfortable position and then I lost consciousness for a while.  For what happened next I will be
eternally grateful.  The members of your mountain rescue team took charge assessed my injuries
and  dressed and splinted my ankle and with great expertise transferred me to a stretcher and
strapped me in and made me as comfortable as possible.  They then decided to call in the
helicopter to transfer me to hospital for treatment.

I have nothing but admiration for dedication and professionalism of your team who are
willing to be called out in all weathers and conditions to rescue lost and injured walkers on a
voluntary basis.  I was treated in Whitehaven hospital for 13 days then transported home by ambulance and
with the aid of a gutter frame am able to hop about downstairs and am now under the care of the
outpatients dept. of my local hospital.  Have now got access to my computer as my son transferred
it downstairs so am now able to write this letter.

I wish to send a donation and will be forwarding it to the team Treasurer.

Please pass on my thanks to all your team and also crew of helicopter that transferred me
to hospital. 

Thank you all