Massive search and rescue operation finds missing walker alive after three days

Copyright Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team
Surviving freezing temperatures for three days, a walker missing since Sunday has been found alive after a huge joint rescue effort involving Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team and the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopters.


The walker was reported missing in the Scafell Pike area on Sunday evening and a large scale search and rescue operation was launched by the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team.  Mountain Rescue Teams from Duddon, Furness and Keswick also joined the search that evening.  

On Monday the search resumed with Mountain Rescue Teams from Wasdale, Kendal, Coniston, Penrith, Cockermouth and the Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dogs.  The Prestwick Coastguard helicopter also joined the search on Monday with no success.


The search resumed again this morning with teams from Wasdale, Kendal, Kirkby Stephen Duddon, RAF Mountain Rescue and Bowland Pennine.  There were dogs from the Lakes and as far away as Oldham from SARDA England.  


Just after 10am today shouts for help were heard in the Silverybield Crag area in Upper Eskdale.  The missing walker was found alive in boggy ground. He was airlifted to hospital in Barrow by the Caernarfon Coastguard helicopter.


Neil Blewett, Aeronautical Operations Controller at the Air Rescue Coordination Centre ARCC for HM Coastguard said:  "This is a fantastic outcome and testament to the perseverance and determination of not only the huge number of teams out searching but also the casualty!   Hope was fading of finding the walker safe and well after such a long period in such challenging weather conditions.  He is mildly hypothermic and has sustained some other minor injuries but is conscious and has been flown to hospital.  We wish him a speedy recovery."


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