Wetherlam Edge

The afternoon was drizzly, misty on the fells and warm.

CUMPOL (Cumbria Police) tasked us to go to the aid of a male walker who was descending Wetherlam Edge with a group of friends, when he slipped on wet rock and had dislocated his ankle.

Two Land Rovers set off for Tilberthwaite, followed by a third later. Once on scene, it was confirmed the ankle had been reduced (returned to it’s natural position) by one of the party who was a retired GP. After pain relief, the ankle was splinted and the gentleman was stretchered off the Edge to Birk Fell Hawse. Helimed 58 had been asked for air assistance as it was a long stretcher carry back to Tilberthwaite, and the cloud had lifted somewhat. Unfortunately, they were unable to land due to the difficult terrain and so we carried on down. The helicopter did however, manage to land further down the valley and we transferred the casualty over to them. He was taken to Carlisle Hospital where it was diagnosed he had a dislocated fracture with sprained tendons.

In the meantime the walking party had been accompanied down to Tilberthwaite and taken to their accommodation in Coniston.

The team would like to thank the other members of the casualty’s party for their assistance, particularly prior to our arrival, and the crew of Helimed 58, Great North Air Ambulance Service, for their perseverance in finding somewhere to land in difficult conditions.

In total 18 team members attended which took 5 ½ hours.