Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team call-outs hit record high

A mountain rescue team in the Lake District has recorded its highest ever number of call-outs in one year.

Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team (CMRT) said it had five rescues on Sunday, taking it to 85 for 2023.

The team has responded to almost 3,000 incidents since it was set up 70 years ago in 1953.

Team member Tom Durcan said this year's figures were "reflective of the increasing number of visitors to the Lake District".

The team's previous highest figure for call-outs in a year was 80 in 2010. Last year it was 71.

On Sunday at about 11:00 GMT a person who suffered an ankle injury on Green Gable was helped down the fell by team members and made their own way to hospital.

As the volunteers approached their vehicles, they received reports of another person who had suffered a broken arm in the area.

They were treated and were driven back down Honister Mine track.

At about the same time, CMRT said it was called to Crummock Water to rescue two kayakers after their vessel capsized.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service crews assisted with pulling the kayakers from the water and treated them near the scene.

Meanwhile, in Cockermouth, volunteers in the base helped a teenager who collapsed at the Remembrance service at the war memorial.

The fifth call-out involved volunteers providing drone support for an ongoing search in Scotland.

The team described conditions as "grim" near Green Gable, adding it was "a bit of a busy day".

"I think our rescue figures reflect the increasing number of visitors to the Lake District we're now seeing," Mr Durcan explained.

"It's not that people are behaving differently, it's a question of statistics.

"More people visiting inevitably leads to more accidents," he added.

Mr Durcan said CMRT "trains regularly and looks for innovative techniques in order to help its voluntary team members manage the increasing number of call-outs".

The team said conditions were "pretty wintry", especially at the fell summits, and urged walkers to be prepared before heading out into the hills.

CMRT urged people to bring extra clothing, winter kit, a head torch and to check the weather forecast.

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