A MOUNTAIN rescue team was called after a man slipped as he was ascending Sharp Edge on Blencathra with his son.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team (KMRT) attended the incident on the afternoon of October 21, after a witness to the accident called 999.

Great North Air Ambulance's Helimed 58 was dispatched and delivered a doctor to the scene in a very short space of time, according to KMRT's statement. 

During this time the son had managed to reach his father, who had fallen most of the way down the north gully, and help him.

A KMRT spokesman said: "The air ambulance then returned to Mousthwaite Combe and picked up several Keswick team members taking them to the casualty site.

"While the medical team were treating the man’s serious injuries Coast Guard helicopter support was requested to winch the casualty out of the gully.

"Unfortunately this plan had to be abandoned due to turbulent wind conditions.

"So after packaging, the casualty was lowered on a stretcher to a safe area and loaded onto Helimed 58 who flew the man to Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary."

The team thanked the GNAAS and coastguard for their support with the accident.

14 KMRT members were involved in the operation lasting 3 hours 29 minutes.