Lake District walker airlifted after drinking from stream
A walker was taken to hospital after becoming seriously unwell while following part of the Coast to Coast route in the Lake District.
Penrith Mountain Rescue Team was called to Whelter Beck, near Haweswater, at around 4.25pm on Friday after the walker began vomiting. The casualty had drunk water from a stream before becoming exhausted in the hot weather and unable to continue.
Coastguard helicopter called
Another walker found the casualty and raised the alarm.
Mountain rescue volunteers said there were concerns that the person could be suffering from heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Due to the possible seriousness of their condition, a Coastguard helicopter was requested while team members travelled towards the scene.
Local volunteers reached the walker before Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 897 arrived from Carlisle Lake District Airport.
After an initial check, the casualty was flown to Mardale Head. A Coastguard paramedic and a mountain rescue team doctor carried out a further assessment.
Team members continued to watch over the walker until an ambulance arrived. The casualty was then taken to hospital for further checks and treatment.
Second heat-related rescue
The incident came just one day after Penrith Mountain Rescue Team was called to help another walker affected by the heat.
The North West Ambulance Service requested assistance at Motherby at around 4.50pm on Thursday, June 25.
The walker had fallen and needed to be carried around 200 metres across a field. Volunteers used an ambulance scoop stretcher to move the casualty to a waiting ambulance, which then took them to hospital.
The two incidents highlight the risks of walking during hot weather, particularly on long or remote routes where help may take time to arrive.
