Man dies after falling 70m from Lake District ridge
The man fell 70m from Sharp Edge on Blencathra in the Lake District on Thursday
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A man has died after falling 70m (230ft) from a “notoriously slippy” Lake District mountain ridge amid snowy conditions.
The man, who has not been named, fell from Sharp Edge on Blencathra on Thursday afternoon, Keswick Mountain Rescue Team said.
His body was recovered and transported to the air ambulance, which then flew to the team’s base, the team added.
“Our first call-out of the year had a tragic ending after a man died in a 70m fall from Sharp Edge,” it said in a social media post.
“A Keswick team member already on Blencathra made his way to the scene above Scales Tarn, along with the crew of Helimed 58, who landed nearby.
“Keswick team recovered the body to H58 who then airlifted the man to Keswick MR Base.”
The rescue team said every year people get into trouble on the ridge as it can become “notoriously slippy” when wet and should be avoided unless experienced or well prepared.
Between 1949 and 2018 there were 11 fatalities, and in October 2021 a man died traversing it as part of his preparations to scale Mount Kilimanjaro.
Renowned Lakeland writer Alfred Wainwright described Sharp Edge as a “rising crest of naked rock of sensational and spectacular appearance”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments