Big fall on Whernside

A walker slipped and fell about 100m (over 300 ft) from a narrow part of the summit ridge of Whernside, on Saturday afternoon, sustaining head injuries and possible neck and back injuries.  The walker, a 39-year old woman from the Leeds area, was approaching the summit when she and her husband decided not to continue in the serious snow and ice conditions. As they turned, she slipped off the edge and fell or slid down the hill-side, which is almost a sheer drop, in places. Having struck her head on a rock, she came to rest just above Greensett Tarns. Two other walkers descended to her, with her husband, and stayed with her while he went to a telephone.

 

Twenty three members of the Cave Rescue Organisation turned out to the accident, backed up by a Sea King of 202 Squadron RAF Leconfield. However, visibility was less than twenty metres at the accident site and the aircraft was obliged to turn back. After attention from a team doctor, team members sledged and carried the stretcher bearing the injured woman almost two miles to a CRO Land Rover ambulance, waiting at the Blea Moor aqueduct. She was later transferred to a road ambulance and, after further attention by paramedics, driven to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

 

Jon Beavan, CRO’s duty controller for the incident, said ”There have been several serious accidents on snow and ice in the more mountainous areas of the country over the past two or three weeks. People tend not equate the Dales with serious winter conditions, but this is a reminder that wherever you go, you do need to prepare for the worst that the season might bring.”. He went on to add that the couple had been very fortunate that other walkers had come along and were able to help.

 

Update:  On Monday, the patient was still in hospital, sore, but making excellent progress.  She had fractured ribs and her head wound needed 30 stitches.

 

CRO members were called out on two other occasions on Friday and Saturday, but no-one was injured and neither involved a serious undertaking. Very early on Friday evening, North Yorkshire Police asked that the reported finding of a dog and a rucksack at a cave entrance be investigated in Chapel le Dale. Three team members were involved, but the owner emerged from Roaring Hole, as they arrived. Later on Saturday evening three cavers were reported overdue in Stream Passage Pot, Clapham. A CRO investigation group found them walking very slowly towards Trow Gill, as one of their number was exhausted. A Land Rover was despatched to return them to Clapham.