CRO records incidents only when team resources are actively deployed - 'Stand- by' and 'overdue calls', requests for advice and calls routed to other teams, where CRO resources are not deployed - are not recorded
| Incident Report 2008 | ||
| No | Description | Volunteer-hours |
| 1 | Jan 5 Sat 15.38 Ease Gill, Cumbria - Mountain Rescue | 10 |
| 2 | Jan 18 Fri 15.02 Ingleborough, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue | 116 |
| 3 | Feb 9 Sat 20.40 Flood Entrance Pot, North Yorkshire - Cave Rescue A caver (m) was reported overdue on a solo trip into the Gaping Gill system from Wade's Entrance. During preliminary investigation it became apparent that other cavers had probably derigged his ropes by mistake, leaving him marooned at the bottom. A small CRO team descended and located him waiting patiently in SE Passage. Escorted to the surface none the worse for his ordeal. | 70 |
| 4 | Feb 13 Wed 11.32 Ingleborough, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue A walker (m) collapsed and died on Storrs Common from a suspected heart attack. CRO assisted the police and ambulance service with the recovery of his body down to Ingleton. FATAL | 9 |
| 5 | Feb 16 Sat 14.00 Settle, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue A walker (f, 50) slipped on a muddy path above Banks Lane, Settle, and broke her leg. Following treatment the casualty was carried by stretcher to an air ambulance for onward transport to hospital. | 7 |
| 6 | Feb 20 Wed 14.03 Shorkley Hill, Malham, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue A walker (m, 61) slipped on a rough path to the east of Malham Cove and sustained a suspected broken leg. The casualty was stretchered a short distance before being airlifted to hospital by air ambulance. | 17 |
| 7 | Mar 02 Sun 12.55 Thistle Cave, North Yorkshire - Cave Rescue | 50 |
| 8 | Mar 05 Wed 12.15 Malham, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue | 22 |
| 9 | Mar 29 Sat 11.00 White Scar Show Cave, North Yorkshire - Cave Rescue | 28 |
| 10 | Apr 11 Fri 18.30 County Pot, Cumbria - Cave Rescue | 145 |
| 11 | Apr 12 Sat 17.00 Kingsdale Master Cave, North Yorkshire - Cave Rescue | 168 |
| 12 | May 04 Sun 04.40 Ingleborough, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue A long distance walker (m, 61) taking part in an organised event was reported 4 hours overdue. Search teams located him sheltering on the summit of Ingleborough, having failed to find his way off the plateau in the dark. He was airlifted down to Clapham by RAF helicopter, tired but otherwise ok. Assisted by SARDA. | 25 |
| 13 | May 04 Sun 16.00 Malham Cove, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue A rock climber (f, 38) fell whilst leading and swung into the rockface, sustaining a fracture to her leg. Following treatment by paramedics she was stretchered across the Catwalk and down to a waiting air ambulance. | 40 |
Brian Boardman assisted with the above two incidents, 50 years to the day from his first rescue with CRO when a caver fell 40 feet in Alum Pot. (The second of today's call outs actually came as the team assembled in Clapham to celebrate Brian's achievement). Congratulations Brian, on your fifty years of voluntary service, and best wishes from all the team. | ||
| 14 | May 6 Tue 16.42 Gimmer Crag, Langdale, Cumbria - Mountain Rescue Langdale / Ambleside MRT requested specialist assistance from CRO when a rock climber (f, 33) got her knee firmly jammed in a crack on 'A Route'. Team members with rock-removal equipment were flown to the top of the crag by RAF helicopter before abseiling down to the climber. Using 'plugs and feathers' rock was carefully removed from around the knee until it was free. The climber was uninjured and able to abseil down to the foot of the crag. Kendal MRT also assisted. | 67 |
| 15 | May 11 Sun 15.42 Ingleborough, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue A group of four walkers (m, 28, 23; f, 27, 21) making their way up Swine Tail got caught by a very intense localised thunderstorm and called for assistance. They had unfortunately left their waterproofs in the car due to the hot sunny weather, and only had a picnic blanket as shelter from the hail and torrential rain. When the storm passed they were able to descend and were met by CRO near Braithwaite Wife Hole and transported down to the road. | 3 |
| 16 | May 11 Sun 16.45 Long Churn Cave, North Yorkshire - Cave Rescue As the above incident (15) was concluding a call came in concerning a caving group probably trapped by flooding in the Long Churn Caves. Initial investigation confirmed very high water levels following a thunderstorm (same one as in incident 15) and the team was called out. When water levels had fallen sufficiently for CRO members to enter the system the group of three adults and six 8-10 year olds were quickly located sheltering below Plank Pool. They were assisted to the surface via Cross Passage, a bit cold and wet but otherwise ok. | 82 |
| 17 | May 13 Tue 18.00 Chapel-le-Dale, North Yorkshire - Cave Rescue A car containing caving gear was reported as having been parked in the layby above God's Bridge for several days. The informant was concerned that a caver might have been seriously overdue. During preliminary investigation with the Police the owner turned up, having been working long days dry-stone walling. A false alarm with good intent. | 3 |
| 18 | May 18 Sun 14.30 Ingleborough, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue A walker (f, 55) descending off the summit towards Little Ingleborough fell on the rocky path and sustained facial injuries including a suspected broken nose. With assistance from her husband and other walkers she was able to make her own way down to near Gaping Gill where she was met by CRO vehicle and transported down to Clapham. | 5 |
| 19 | May 20 Tue 09.30 Sell Gill Holes, North Yorkshire - Animal Rescue A four year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier gained the dubious honour of initiating the 400th animal rescue carried out by CRO when it fell 9m down the entrance shaft of Sell Gill Holes. Unhurt, the dog was successfully hauled to the surface and reunited with its owner. | 4 |
| 20 | May 25 Sun 12.56 Ingleborough, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue A walker (f, 46) went over on her ankle coming down the path from Little Ingleborough, but managed to hobble on to just beyond Gaping Gill before phoning the Police for assistance. CRO was called and, following treament, transported her by vehicle down to a waiting road ambulance in Clapham. | 19 |
| 21 | May 26 Mon 12.16 Gaping Gill, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue The first call-out of the day. A caver (f, 24) sitting waiting to descend the winch was hit on the head by a stone tumbling down the side of the shakehole and knocked unconscious for a short period. She also sustained a scalp laceration. After treatment and a short stretcher carry she was airlifted to hospital by air ambulance. | 28 |
| 22 | May 26 Mon 17.58 Penyghent, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue The second call-out of the day. A walker (m, 45) slipped on the path coming down off Penyghent and sustained a suspected broken ankle. He managed to hobble down to near Hunt Pot where he was met by CRO and transported by vehicle down to Horton in Ribblesdale. | 5 |
| 23 | May 26 Mon 18.02 Waterfalls Walk, Ingleton, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue The third call-out of the day. While details were still being received about incident 22 another call came in concerning a walker (f, 51) who had slipped on path steps in Baxenghyll Gorge and sustained a suspected broken ankle. CRO attended and the casualty was stretchered out of the gorge and up to a waiting road ambulance near Beezleys Farm. | 22 |
| 24 | Jun 2 Mon 20.34 Pillar Holes, North Yorkshire - Animal Rescue A lamb was brought to the surface and reunited with its mother after becoming trapped 6m down the open no.1 entrance shaft of Pillar Holes on Newby Moss. | 3 |
| 25 | Jun 4 Wed 20.32 Pot Scar, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue A rock climber (f, 40) fell about 5m whilst leading 'Pusher' route, VS, landing on boulders at ground level. Following treatment to her head, shoulder, and hand injuries, the casualty was stretchered down to a road ambulance in Feizor. | 20 |
| 26 | Jun 9 Mon 13.50 Waterfalls Walk, Ingleton, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue A walker (f, 79) tripped and fell onto the rocky path near Thornton Force, sustaining chest and head injuries. Following treatment by paramedics the casualty was stretchered up to Raven Ray and airlifted to hospital by air ambulance. | 16 |
| 27 | Jun 13 Fri 18.00 Fife Pot, North Yorkshire - Animal Rescue A lamb was rescued from the foot of the 7m deep western shaft of Fife Pot on Newby Moss. | 4 |
| 28 | Jun 14 Sat 14.36 Whernside, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue The first call-out of the day. A Three Peaks walker (f, 56) suffered a 'locked' knee on the summit, but managed to slowly make her way down towards the valley. CRO met her just above Bruntscar and transported her the remaining short distance to the road. | 21 |
| 29 | Jun 14 Sat 16.05 Pikedaw Hill, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue The second call-out of the day. A walker (f, 56) slipped descending the path below Hoober Edge and sustained a suspected broken ankle. Following treatment by CRO the casualty was stretchered down to the vehicles and then transported to Malham and a waiting road ambulance. Followed by........ | 31 |
| ......... a call from the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association, putting us on 'stand-by' in case they needed assistance with an ongoing cave rescue at Langstroth Pot. Fortunately we weren't needed and the team was eventually stood down. | ||
| 30 | Jun 21 Sat 18.30 Kingsdale Master Cave, North Yorkshire - Cave Rescue Two parties of cavers descended Simpson's Pot and Swinsto Hole on pull-through trips. The Swinsto party exited first and dispersed; some went off to a local cafe whilst others went to Rowten Pot. When the Simpson's party exited there was no sign of the others and after waiting for some time they became concerned that the Swinsto cavers might have become trapped in KMC by the rising flood water. CRO was called and was about to commit a team underground when some of the 'overdue' cavers returned from Rowten. A false alarm with good intent. | 36 |
| 31 | Jun 27 Fri 14.30 Waterfalls Walk, Ingleton, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue An 11 year old boy fell a small distance onto rocks upstream of Snow Falls and injured his back. Following examination by paramedics he was able to walk up to the CRO and ambulance vehicles near Beezleys Farm. | 15 |
| 32 | Jul 2 Wed 21.47 Malham Cove, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue Two walkers heading up the Watlowes valley, above the Cove, came across a man in a semi-conscious state. CRO attended (cutting short a training exercise on Twisleton Scar) and stretchered the casualty a short distance up to the team vehicles. Following further treatment by paramedics and a team doctor he was transported down to Malham and transferred to a road ambulance. | 33 |
| 33 | Jul 4 Fri 15.00 Ribblehead, North Yorkshire - Animal Rescue A lamb was rescued from the foot of a 3m deep blind pot near Runscar Caves. | 3 |
| 34 | Jul 10 Thu 22.05 Swinsto Hole, North Yorkshire - Cave Rescue A party of three cavers (m, 40, 30; f, 32) were reported overdue in Kingsdale, with their car being located near Valley Entrance. A search of Simpson's Pot, Swinsto Hole, and Kingsdale Master Cave (together with a check of the entrance pitches for Bull Pot, Jingling Pot, Aquamole, Rowten Pot and Turbary Pot) found them sheltering in Swinsto Final Chamber, having turned back from the KMC streamway due to high water levels. The three were escorted to the surface via Valley Entrance. | 143 |
| 35 | Jul 13 Sun 22.00 Simpson's Pot, North Yorkshire - Cave Rescue A party of three cavers were reported overdue on a pull-through trip down Simpson's Pot. They were located at their car in Kingsdale during preliminary investigations, having just emerged from Valley Entrance. | 2 |
| 36 | Jul 16 Wed 05.00 Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria - Mountain Rescue Called to assist Kendal MRT following their overnight search for a local woman (87) missing from home. CRO teams searched the River Lune from Ladies Well to downstream of Devil's Bridge, plus some areas near High Biggins, but without success. Sadly the body of the missing person was later found by members of the public close to the northern shore of Windermere, some 35km away. FATAL | 120 |
| 37 | Jul 21 Mon 16.11 Flinter Gill, Dent, Cumbria - Mountain Rescue Assisted Kendal MRT in the evacuation of a walker (m, 62) who had slipped descending the rocky track alongside Flinter Gill and injured his knee. Following treatment by paramedics the casualty was stretchered a short distance down to a road ambulance in Dent village. | 10 |
| 38 | Jul 30 Wed 20.37 Mealbank Quarry, Ingleton, A lamb was successfully rescued from a narrow ledge near the top of the quarry. | 6 |
| 39 | Sep 8 Mon 11.24 Malham Cove, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue The team recovered the body of a man who had fallen at Malham Cove and assisted the police with their on-scene investigation. FATAL | 50 |
| 40 | Sep 15 Mon 11.19 Ingleborough, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue The team were requested to locate a walker (m, 60) on Ingleborough after concerns were raised about his safety. He was quickly found, collapsed with exhaustion, above Humphrey Bottom. The casualty was stretchered down to CRO vehicles and transported off the hill. | 50 |
| 41 | Sep 30 Tue 15.20 Long Churn Cave, North Yorkshire - Cave Rescue A party of three adults and eight teenagers became trapped by high water conditions following a day of heavy rain. As water levels fell the main group was located sheltering above St Paul's and assisted to the surface via Cross Passage. One of the adults was unaccounted for and was subsequently found marooned in a small side passage above the flooded streamway. | 75 |
| 42 | Oct 4 Sat 18.25 Sunset Hole, North Yorkshire - Cave Rescue The start of a very busy night with four cave rescues and several 'alerts' and 'overdue' reports. A party of seven cavers (m, 29, 23, 22; f, 20, 20, 20, 20) became trapped by flooding after heavy and persistent rainfall. They were found sheltering at the second cascade and escorted to the surface. | 56 |
| 43 | Oct 4 Sat 19.40 County Pot / Wretched Rabbit, Cumbria - Cave Rescue A party of nine cavers were reported overdue on an exchange trip in the Ease Gill system. Located on the surface having been delayed by high water conditions following heavy and persistent rainfall. Kendal MRT were placed on stand-by. | 18 |
| 44 | Oct 4 Sat 19.57 Ireby Fell Cavern, Lancashire - Cave Rescue Twenty five cavers were reported to be trapped by high water conditions following heavy and persistent rain. Two were trapped beyond the sump and were dived out, the others were variously assisted or escorted to the surface; assisted by UWFRA, Kendal MRT, and divers from the CDG. Seventy rescuers were involved in this operation which concluded at 12.48 hrs on Sunday afternoon. | 1120 |
| 45 | Oct 4 Sat 20.55 Stream Passage Pot, North Yorkshire - Cave Rescue A party of three cavers (m) were reported overdue after heavy and persistent rainfall. Located walking down to Clapham by first CRO team, having been trapped near the entrance by the high water conditions. | 13 |
| During the same night CRO also dealt with three walkers reported overdue on the Three Peaks Walk (they fortunately turned up as we were somewhat preoccupied with the above four cave rescue incidents) and we were also notified of a caver overdue 'in the Yorkshire Dales'; after extensive enquiries it was determined that the caver was one of those trapped in Ireby Fell Cavern (ref. incident 44). | ||
| 46 | Oct 25 Sat 14.20 Ingleborough, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue A boy (12) slipped on rocks near Gaping Gill and injured his leg. He was assisted slowly down Trow Gill by relatives until met by CRO and then transported by vehicle to Clapham and a waiting road ambulance. | 16 |
| 47 | Oct 27 Mon 12.42 Ingleborough, North Yorkshire - Mountain Rescue A boy (8) slipped on wet grass at the top of Trow Gill and sustained a head injury. Evacuated by air ambulance as CRO arrived on scene. Party members were escorted down to CRO vehicles and transported off the hill. Assisted by two members of Kendal MRT who were in Clapham when the team turned out. | 15 |
| 48 | Nov 03 Mon 16.30 Wade's Entrance, North Yorkshire - Animal Rescue A dog fell 25m down the first pitch of Wade's Entrance on Ingleborough after chasing a rabbit. Unfortunately the dog didn't survive the fall and its body was recovered to the surface and brought down to Clapham. | 10 |
| 49 | Nov 12 Wed 06.30 River Dee, Cumbria - Mountain Rescue Called by Kendal MRT to assist with the ongoing search for the driver of a car (f, 61) swept into the River Dee at Barth Bridge near Dent by floodwater late the previous afternoon. CRO teams searched sections of the river in Dentdale before being redeployed to recover a body found in the River Rawthey some 10km downstream by the Duddon and Furness MRT. Kirkby Stephen MRT, Swaledale MRT, Bowland Pennine MRT and SARDA also involved in the search. FATAL | 78 |
| Last updated 19 November 2008 | ||
In addition to the team call outs listed above:
(a) the CRO Duty Controllers (six are on weekly call throughout the year) frequently respond to calls from the Police for advice regarding overdue cavers and walkers that do not result in any team call out.
(b) our SARDA dog handlers are sometimes called to assist other Mountain Rescue Teams in searches out of our area.