A volunteer-run mountain rescue charity. 76 incidents featured here.
A man died after slipping and falling a considerable distance down Moss Force waterfall near Newlands Hause in the Lake District. Emergency services and off-duty medical professionals attended, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident involved a multi-agency response including mountain rescue teams, air ambulance, ambulance service, police, and fire service.
Outcome: fatality
A walker fell on the shores of Buttermere and sustained a head injury with dizziness and a suspected dislocated finger. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team responded with 19 volunteers, assessed the casualty, provided pain relief, and carried them by stretcher to Gatesgarth where they were handed to North West Ambulance Service.
Outcome: casualty evacuated by stretcher to ambulance service
A walker strayed from the Crummock lakeshore path onto steep loose ground on Mellbreak and felt unable to continue safely. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team located the casualty using 999 call coordinates and assisted them back to the lakeshore path with encouragement, support and a confidence rope. The rescue involved eight team members and took approximately three hours.
Outcome: casualty assisted back to lakeshore path and returned safely to team vehicles
A walker sustained a suspected broken ankle while descending Black Sail Pass in the Ennerdale Valley and was rescued by Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team. The casualty was treated on scene, stretchered back to Black Sail Youth Hostel, and then transferred to an ambulance at Bowness Knott car park.
Outcome: casualty treated and evacuated by stretcher to ambulance
A walker suffered a suspected lower back injury after a fall near Warnscale Beck in the Lake District on 18 July. The casualty was treated by Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team, carried to the lakeshore at Buttermere, and airlifted by Coastguard Rescue 897 to Cumberland Infirmary.
Outcome: airlifted to hospital by helicopter
A walker fell on the Corridor Route in the Lake District on 12 July, sustaining a suspected fractured kneecap and reporting tingling in her foot. She was treated on site and airlifted by air ambulance to a waiting land ambulance in a six-hour rescue operation involving Wasdale, Cockermouth, and Duddon and Furness mountain rescue teams.
Outcome: casualty airlifted and transferred to land ambulance
A female walker fell and twisted her ankle on Great Gable on 12 July. Multiple rescue teams including Wasdale MRT and Cockermouth MRT responded, with a Coastguard helicopter providing transport assistance. The casualty was evacuated to Wasdale Base.
Outcome: casualty evacuated by helicopter to Wasdale Base
A family became stuck on steep ground during a walk in the Lake District and required rescue assistance. The incident was reported in press coverage via MSN.
A family became stuck on steep and technical ground while walking alongside Sour Milk Gill near Buttermere in the Lake District. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue team located them and safely escorted them uphill to join the main path, then guided them down to the lake shore. The operation took 1.5 hours and involved 16 team members.
Outcome: safely escorted off the fell to lake shore
A walker fell 5 metres from a lakeside road at Loweswater and lost consciousness, sustaining neck and head injuries. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team assisted paramedics and local first responders in immobilising the casualty on the narrow lakeshore path and evacuating them by stretcher to an ambulance.
Outcome: casualty immobilised and evacuated by stretcher to ambulance
A family became stranded on steep terrain beside Sour Milk Gill in Buttermere on 13 June. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team deployed 16 members who located the walkers and safely escorted them by ascending to the main path and descending to the lakeshore.
Outcome: safely escorted to lakeshore
A walker on Great Borne in the Lake District showed signs of a potential stroke on 10 June. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team and Great North Air Ambulance responded, and the casualty was assisted down the fell and airlifted to a waiting ambulance before being transported to West Cumberland Hospital for treatment.
Outcome: casualty airlifted by helicopter and transported to West Cumberland Hospital
A female walker sustained a knee injury on the lower section of the Tourist Path on Scafell Pike and was unable to continue her descent. Team members assessed her and stretchered her back to the car park, where she was transferred to her husband's car for transport to hospital.
Outcome: casualty stretchered to car park and transported to hospital by family
A man was reported in the River Esk in Eskdale Valley at 2:40am on 7 June. Mountain rescue teams from Wasdale and Cockermouth attended to provide swift water rescue support, discovering the casualty had already moved to the opposite bank where emergency services were already present. The operation lasted 56 minutes with 12 rescuers involved.
Outcome: casualty located on riverbank with emergency services present
A mountain biker fell on Sale Fell and sustained a significant hip injury. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team located the casualty approximately 150 metres up the fell, immobilised them, and carried them to an ambulance for transport to Cumberland Infirmary.
Outcome: casualty immobilised and evacuated by stretcher to Cumberland Infirmary
A mountain biker was rescued after sustaining a significant hip injury following a fall on Sale Fell. The rescue required a full call-out involving the team, who located the casualty near Kelswick Farm and transported them to an ambulance for hospital care.
Outcome: Transported from the scene
A walker sustained multiple injuries after falling above Honister in the Lake District on Tuesday, May 19th. The Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team attended the scene for a rescue operation that lasted three hours. The injured person was subsequently transported by ambulance.
Outcome: Injured (transported to hospital)
A walker undertaking the Coast to Coast fell down Loft Beck near Ennerdale on 14 May 2026. A Maritime Coastguard Helicopter was requested due to initial concerns of a significant fall and potential head injury. The casualty was airlifted to hospital by helicopter with a back injury.
Outcome: airlifted to hospital with back injury
A report of shouts for help on Great Gable on 17 April was investigated by Wasdale Mountain Rescue following a call from an informant. The caller reported meeting two young men at Beck Head who were missing a friend, but had already left the area. The incident was closed without deployment due to low cloud cover and no further calls.
Outcome: no deployment, incident closed as false alarm
A member of a walking group sustained severe leg fractures after falling on steep ground at High Crag's Gamlin End. A rescue operation was carried out by Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team, involving stabilizing the casualty and transporting them down the slope to an ambulance.
Outcome: Transported to hospital after rescue
Two walkers required assistance on Scafell Pike after becoming cold and unable to move in deteriorating conditions. Following efforts involving multiple rescue teams, the individuals were able to warm up enough to walk safely off the hill.
Outcome: Safe exit from the mountain
A walker suffered a painful lower leg injury near Innominate Tarn on Haystacks on 30 March. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team attended with 22 members, treated the casualty with pain relief and splinting, and carried them by stretcher to waiting ambulance transport. The rescue took three and a half hours.
Outcome: casualty treated by stretcher and handed over to North West Ambulance Service for onward transport
Mountain Rescue Team responded to an injured walker near Sail Beck after reports of a severe head injury by Third Gill. Despite poor weather conditions, twenty volunteers located the group and coordinated efforts to find missing members before safely transporting the casualty back down to Newlands Hause.
Outcome: Injured walker treated and evacuated; group reunited.
A mountain rescue team attended an incident near Whiteless Pike following reports of a severe head injury. The Coastguard helicopter was called out to assist but was ultimately no longer required as the casualty's injuries were found to be less severe than initially thought.
Outcome: Casualty treated and stabilized by ambulance services.
A trail runner injured her ankle during a race at Scale Beck near Crummock Water on 22 March. She was treated by race medics and mountain rescue teams, then stretchered through boggy terrain to Buttermere village and transferred to hospital by ambulance.
Outcome: stretchered to Buttermere village, transferred to hospital by ambulance
Volunteer rescuers responded to assist two hillwalkers who had become disoriented while descending High Stile on Saturday evening. The team located the pair and safely escorted them back to their vehicle in Buttermere.
Outcome: Safe recovery
Mountain rescue teams responded to assist a walker who had sustained a bad ankle injury after falling below Warnscale Bothy. The casualty was located by the team, received initial treatment including splinting, and was subsequently transported via stretcher to an awaiting ambulance.
Outcome: Transported from the scene
A full team callout was initiated after a lone walker slipped on the path near Gatesgarth, Buttermere. The team attended and administered analgesia while splinting the ankle before transporting the casualty to the road for onward care by ambulance.
Outcome: Transported to hospital
Two climbers were rescued from Pillar Rock after becoming stranded at Low Man due to fading light and worsening weather on 28 October 2025. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team deployed 15 members who established a fixed line to assist the climbers safely down the mountain. The operation lasted five-and-a-half hours.
Outcome: both climbers assisted down and escorted to vehicles
A man fell two to three metres from an exposed and steep section of the Buttermere lakeshore path on Monday, 29 September, sustaining significant and painful injuries. Keswick and Cockermouth mountain rescue teams attended and provided medical care before packaging him onto a stretcher and hauling him back to the path. The casualty was evacuated to an awaiting ambulance after a rescue lasting two hours and 34 minutes.
Outcome: casualty evacuated by ambulance following stretcher evacuation
A walker sustained facial injuries and cuts to their legs after falling on the descent to Beck Head from Great Gable on 26 July 2025. Cockermouth and Wasdale Mountain Rescue Teams attended, assessed and treated the casualty before walking them out via Moses Trod. The casualty was deemed fit enough to scramble off the steep ground with assistance.
Outcome: casualty treated on scene and walked off the mountain
A group of walkers discovered an unresponsive person on the summit of Kirk Fell on Sunday afternoon. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team was called out and confirmed the person was deceased upon arrival. The casualty was recovered and transported from the fell.
Outcome: casualty recovered
Walkers discovered a person unresponsive on the summit of Kirk Fell on 29 June. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team attended and confirmed the individual was deceased. The casualty was packaged and transported from the fell to the team's vehicles.
Outcome: casualty recovered and transported
A walker sustained significant chest and back injuries after a fall whilst descending Haystacks on Scarth Gap on Friday, 13 June. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team and the Coastguard attended, stabilised the casualty, and evacuated them by helicopter to hospital.
Outcome: airlifted to hospital by Coastguard helicopter
A walker attempting the Coast to Coast route died during an attempted crossing in severe weather conditions. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team was called out on the evening of 9 June and located the casualty deceased on Moses Trod below Brandreth at around 2.30am. The casualty was evacuated by stretcher to Honister Slate Mine as daylight broke.
Outcome: casualty found deceased and evacuated by stretcher
A hiker suffered a heart attack while descending Grisedale Pike on Saturday afternoon, 31 May. Mountain rescue teams from Cockermouth, Keswick, and RAF Leeming responded, with air ambulance attempts prevented by adverse weather. The casualty was stretcher-evacuated and handed over to NHS ambulance care.
Outcome: casualty evacuated by stretcher to waiting ambulance
A Herdwick sheep became stuck on a ledge above the Via Ferrata at Honister Slate Mine in the Lake District. Three Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team volunteers accessed the sheep via rock climbing, secured it, and lowered it to safety before guiding it back down the via ferrata.
Outcome: sheep safely recovered and returned to lower ground
A casualty broke their ankle near Pillar on 7 May and was airlifted to hospital by HM Coastguard Helicopter. The call was initially received by Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team but transferred to Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team after establishing the casualty was on their side of the boundary. The casualty was treated on scene and transported to Cumberland Infirmary.
Outcome: casualty airlifted to Cumberland Infirmary by helicopter
A walker lost in deteriorating conditions on High Stile Ridge near Buttermere was located and safely escorted off the fell by Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team. The rescue involved 13 team members who ascended via Red Pike and took approximately five-and-a-half hours to bring the casualty to safety.
Outcome: casualty located and escorted off the fell
Two Lake District mountain rescue teams assisted a walker with a suspected broken ankle near Buttermere on 30 December after the casualty fell while descending a rocky path. The ankle was splinted and the walker was evacuated to a waiting ambulance at Sykes Farm Café. The operation took three and a half hours.
Outcome: casualty evacuated by ambulance after ankle splinting
Two walkers struggling in wind and darkness on Fleetwith Pike were assisted by Cockermouth Mountain Rescue on 28 December. Five team members located the pair and escorted them safely back to their vehicle. The callout took three hours.
Outcome: walkers safely escorted to vehicle
Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team assisted six walkers who were struggling to descend High Crag in deteriorating weather and fading light on Sunday, 27 October. The team escorted the cold and tired group safely back down to Ennerdale Valley.
Outcome: escorted safely back down to valley
A fell runner died in a fall from a ridge while descending from Pillar mountain during the Bob Graham Round challenge in Ennerdale, Lake District on 11 August 2024. The body was located in Great Doup and evacuated by rescue teams in difficult cloudy conditions.
Outcome: casualty died; body evacuated by rescue teams
A runner died while attempting the Bob Graham Round in the Lake District on 6 August 2024. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team was called after friends raised the alarm, and the body was located at Great Doup on Pillar after a search in difficult conditions. The casualty was evacuated with support from Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team and the Coastguard.
Outcome: body recovered and evacuated by mountain rescue
An ex-SAS soldier died after slipping from a ridge on Pillar mountain in the Lake District during the Bob Graham Round fell running challenge in August 2024. He was 20 hours into the 66-mile, 24-hour event when he fell in bad weather. Mountain rescue teams from Wasdale and Cockermouth located his body at Pillar Cove and the coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.
Outcome: fatality
A mountain biker sustained a potentially broken ankle whilst pushing their bike through boggy terrain on the track below Melbreak in Loweswater. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team attended, provided pain relief and splinting, and carried the casualty half a mile to meet an ambulance at Kirkgate Farm.
Outcome: casualty carried to Land rovers and transferred to ambulance at Kirkgate Farm
A walker slipped on wet rock along the Crummock Water lake shore path and hit their head. Unable to get up and having waited half an hour in the rain, the casualty was found by passing runners who called for help. The walker was assessed, warmed, and transported to West Cumberland Hospital for treatment.
Outcome: casualty transported to West Cumberland Hospital for treatment
A paraglider pilot who launched from Robinson in the Lake District went missing over the weekend and was found dead in a gill above Buttermere following a multi-agency search operation. Cockermouth, Keswick, and Wasdale Mountain Rescue Teams, along with Cumbria Police and search dogs, conducted a recovery operation to retrieve the body.
Outcome: pilot declared dead at scene, body recovered
Two walkers strayed from the path on High Stile in the Buttermere fells on 19 April and became cold, tired and weak as darkness fell. One casualty showing early signs of hypothermia was airlifted to safety by HM Coastguard Helicopter, while the other was brought down on foot by mountain rescue volunteers. Both walkers were reunited safely.
Outcome: both walkers rescued; one airlifted by helicopter, one escorted down on foot
A walker suffered a fractured and dislocated ankle while traversing the Low Fell tops in Cumbria. The Great North Air Ambulance Service landed and treated the casualty, who was then packaged by Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team and airlifted to Cumberland Infirmary Carlisle.
Outcome: casualty airlifted to hospital by helicopter
A high-risk missing person was found safe and well in Cockermouth Town Centre following a 9.5-hour multi-agency search involving around 30 officers from West Cumbria Search and Rescue, Maryport Rescue, Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team, and police dog units covering the Maryport and surrounding areas.
Outcome: missing person found safe and well
A group of Scouts encountered multiple medical emergencies on the path between Robinson and Hindscarth on 10 July 2023, with one member hypothermic, one suffering an asthma attack, and one with a knee injury. Keswick Mountain Rescue Team, assisted by the Coastguard helicopter and Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team, provided treatment and evacuated the casualties by air to Gatesgarth Farm, where an ambulance transported the asthma sufferer to hospital. The same evening, Keswick Mountain Rescue also attended a 17-year-old from a Duke of Edinburgh group who had slipped and hit his head above Rosthwaite and was transferred to hospital for assessment.
Outcome: all casualties evacuated and transported to hospital for treatment
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team responded to two separate incidents on 10 July 2023. The first involved a 17-year-old Duke of Edinburgh participant who slipped and hit his head near Rosthwaite; he was assessed by team medics and taken to hospital. The second saw the Coastguard helicopter rescue a group of Scouts from the Robinson–Hindscarth path, where one was hypothermic, one having an asthma attack, and one with a knee injury; all were safely evacuated.
Outcome: all casualties evacuated to hospital or safely descended; potential stretcher descent in poor weather avoided
A woman suffered a nasty arm injury after a tumbling fall while descending Haystacks in the Lake District. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team treated her on the fell and arranged evacuation by Coastguard Rescue helicopter to hospital from Scarth Gap.
Outcome: evacuated by helicopter to hospital
A 52-year-old man suffered a cardiac arrest in Keswick town centre and was revived by bystanders including a former firefighter and a member of Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team who performed CPR for approximately 20 minutes until paramedics arrived and used a defibrillator. The casualty was airlifted to hospital and survived.
Outcome: casualty resuscitated and airlifted to hospital
A walker twisted his knee and became unable to walk after a fall just below the summit of Haystacks. Keswick and Cockermouth mountain rescue teams attended and carried the casualty down on a stretcher in a three-hour operation.
Outcome: casualty evacuated by stretcher
A walker who became separated from his group at the summit of Scafell Pike was found dead above Dropping Crag following an extensive overnight search and rescue operation involving multiple teams. The incident began on the evening of 8 October and concluded the following afternoon after a 21-hour operation. Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team, supported by five other rescue organisations and search dogs, recovered the casualty.
Outcome: casualty found deceased above Dropping Crag
A paraglider sustained a serious leg injury after crashing near Scarth Gap in the Lake District. The casualty was assisted by fellow paragliders, first responders, and a nearby Keswick MRT member, then stabilised by Great North Air Ambulance Service paramedics and a doctor. He was winched aboard a Coastguard helicopter for transport to a regional trauma centre.
Outcome: casualty winched to helicopter and transported to regional trauma centre
A helicopter attending a serious medical emergency at Red Pike was endangered when a drone was spotted flying in the area during the casualty evacuation. The incident highlighted the significant risks posed by drones to emergency aviation operations, though no collision occurred and the patient was successfully winched to hospital.
Outcome: casualty winched by helicopter and taken to hospital for treatment; drone operator not identified
Two walkers suffered head and back injuries after falling approximately 50 feet while descending Pillar in the Lake District on Sunday 29 November. A trio of walkers became disorientated during descent, with two sustaining significant injuries in what Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team described as a complicated six-hour operation involving 22 team members, a coastguard helicopter, and ambulance services.
Outcome: both casualties evacuated by helicopter and road ambulance to hospital
An experienced fell walker fell 600ft down Pillar mountain in the Lake District after slipping on ice near the summit. He was halted by snow debris just 20ft from a cliff edge and sustained a broken neck, head lacerations, and a chipped elbow bone. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team, the Coastguard, and the Great North Air Ambulance evacuated him by helicopter to hospital, where he underwent neck surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.
Outcome: airlifted to hospital by helicopter; expected full recovery after neck surgery
Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team responded to four incidents over the Christmas period in the Lake District. These included two walkers benighted below Great Gable, a couple cragfast after high winds damaged their tent above Buttermere, a man who fell and broke his arm in Wind Gap and required helicopter evacuation, and a couple disoriented on Red Pike in failing light.
Outcome: all casualties safely evacuated; man with broken arm airlifted to hospital by Coastguard helicopter
A 60-year-old climber fell on the route 'Megaton' on the west face of Pillar Rock on Friday afternoon. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team coordinated with Coastguard and air ambulance helicopters to winch team members to the casualty, who was treated, stabilised and airlifted to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle. The casualty's climbing partner was also safely assisted from the crag.
Outcome: casualty airlifted to hospital by helicopter; climbing partner assisted safely from crag
A sheep stranded on a steep cliff near Bull Ghyll at Honister Pass for three weeks was rescued by Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team volunteers. The team used fixed climbing cables and a metal bridge to reach and safely bring down the animal.
Outcome: sheep successfully rescued
A 70-year-old experienced walker from Liverpool was rescued from the fells near Ennerdale after suffering heat exhaustion and activating a personal locator beacon. The distress signal was routed via satellite through a response centre in Houston, Texas, before reaching UK authorities and Cockermouth Mountain Rescue. The casualty was treated in hospital and not seriously injured.
Outcome: casualty treated in hospital, not seriously hurt
A car lost control on icy Whinlatter Pass and rolled approximately 40 metres down a bank into a beck. The driver escaped serious injury and walked away from the scene. Emergency services including Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team attended the incident during widespread icy conditions across Cumbria.
Outcome: driver walked away uninjured
A car lost control on icy Whinlatter Pass and rolled approximately 40 metres down a bank into a beck. The driver escaped serious injury and walked away from the scene. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team attended alongside emergency services and the Great North Air Ambulance Service.
Outcome: driver walked away uninjured
A 56-year-old man fell 10 feet on Hay Stacks above Buttermere on Sunday, injuring his shoulder. Passing walkers raised the alarm and assisted the casualty. He was treated by Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team and a Coastguard helicopter and winched to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle for further treatment.
Outcome: casualty winched into helicopter and flown to Cumberland Infirmary for further treatment
A 50-year-old man sustained an ankle injury on Haystacks and spent the night at a nearby bothy. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue team treated him and stretchered him down to Gatesgarth Farm, from where his friends transported him to West Cumberland Hospital.
Outcome: casualty stretchered to Gatesgarth Farm and taken to hospital by friends
A 14-year-old suffered a head injury and possible concussion after slipping near Scale Force in the Lake District. She was attended by Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team and the Great North Air Ambulance, then airlifted to hospital.
Outcome: airlifted to hospital by air ambulance
A dog named Tiger became stuck on the steep terrain of Haystacks in the Lake District and was reported missing by its owner. Thirty members of Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team searched the hills above Buttermere and successfully reunited the dog with its owner.
Outcome: dog reunited with owner
Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team attended two separate incidents on Saturday evening. The first involved a 63-year-old walker who fell and fractured her wrist while descending from Wind Gap; she was located, treated, and walked down to Ennerdale Valley before being transported to hospital. Later that evening, three lost walkers were found on Buttermere Moss while descending Robinson and were evacuated to safety.
Outcome: casualty with broken wrist evacuated and transported to hospital; three lost walkers located and evacuated to safety
A 72-year-old walker from Cockermouth broke her ankle in a fall near Scale Force above Buttermere. She was treated at the scene by mountain rescue and air ambulance medics, then airlifted to Carlisle Hospital.
Outcome: casualty airlifted to hospital
A 35-year-old man died after falling in Walker's Gully on Pillar while descending with two companions towards Pillar Rock. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team and RAF and air ambulance helicopters responded to the incident, which occurred in severe winter conditions with widespread ice and hard névé on the Lake District fells.
Outcome: casualty recovered deceased
Two mountain rescue teams assisted four passengers in a minibus that became wedged against the roadside on ice at Newlands Pass in the Lake District. The teams successfully extracted the vehicle and its occupants, driving them safely back down to Buttermere.
Outcome: minibus and occupants extracted and driven to safety
Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team held a remembrance service at Low Crag, Buttermere on 15 June 2019 to honour two team members killed in a rock fall during a training exercise 50 years earlier. John Thompson died at the scene and Michael Stephenson died from his injuries the following day.
Outcome: two fatalities