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| Hiker dies trying to find Lake District cave made popular by BBC show | |
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| A hiker has died in the Lake District after falling nearly 150 metres (500ft) while trying to reach a remote cave made popular by a BBC television series. | A hiker has died in the Lake District after falling nearly 150 metres (500ft) while trying to reach a remote cave made popular by a BBC television series. |
| The 50-year-old man was with a group of friends who had planned to spend the night in the Priest’s Hole cave when the accident happened. | The 50-year-old man was with a group of friends who had planned to spend the night in the Priest’s Hole cave when the accident happened. |
| The “secret” beauty spot, on Dove Crag near the Cumbrian village of Glenridding, has become increasingly popular with hillwalkers since it featured on the BBC series Secret Britain earlier this year. | The “secret” beauty spot, on Dove Crag near the Cumbrian village of Glenridding, has become increasingly popular with hillwalkers since it featured on the BBC series Secret Britain earlier this year. |
| Cumbria police said mountain rescue workers were alerted at 10pm on Saturday following a 999 call reporting that the man, who has not been named, had slipped from a ledge and fallen down the front face of the fell. | Cumbria police said mountain rescue workers were alerted at 10pm on Saturday following a 999 call reporting that the man, who has not been named, had slipped from a ledge and fallen down the front face of the fell. |
| He was found with fatal injuries after a seven-hour rescue operation involving a coastguard helicopter scrambled from Scotland. | He was found with fatal injuries after a seven-hour rescue operation involving a coastguard helicopter scrambled from Scotland. |
| Mike Blakey, the leader of Patterdale mountain rescue team, said: “The helicopter was able to direct the team straight to the man’s location, approximately 50 metres below the bottom of the main crag. The man, who had slipped from the ledge, had fallen approximately 150 metres vertically and had sustained fatal injuries. | Mike Blakey, the leader of Patterdale mountain rescue team, said: “The helicopter was able to direct the team straight to the man’s location, approximately 50 metres below the bottom of the main crag. The man, who had slipped from the ledge, had fallen approximately 150 metres vertically and had sustained fatal injuries. |
| “This kind of evacuation is always complex as it involves belaying the stretcher down the mountainside and team members literally manhandling the stretcher over each boulder, through dense bracken and over streams. | “This kind of evacuation is always complex as it involves belaying the stretcher down the mountainside and team members literally manhandling the stretcher over each boulder, through dense bracken and over streams. |
| “We also deployed four team members to the Priest’s Hole to assist the remaining members of the party back to the safety of our base. | “We also deployed four team members to the Priest’s Hole to assist the remaining members of the party back to the safety of our base. |
| “Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends, including those who were staying the night with him. No matter how many times we deal with such incidents they are always tragic and very sad for all concerned.” | “Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends, including those who were staying the night with him. No matter how many times we deal with such incidents they are always tragic and very sad for all concerned.” |
| He said there had been an increase in visitor numbers to the Priest’s Hole since it featured on the BBC’s Secret Britain in spring, when presenter Chris Hollins made the ascent to the site. | He said there had been an increase in visitor numbers to the Priest’s Hole since it featured on the BBC’s Secret Britain in spring, when presenter Chris Hollins made the ascent to the site. |
| The natural shelter, which sits more than 640 metres (2,100ft) above ground, features breathtaking views of the northern Lake District and has become a rite of passage for some outdoors aficionados. | The natural shelter, which sits more than 640 metres (2,100ft) above ground, features breathtaking views of the northern Lake District and has become a rite of passage for some outdoors aficionados. |
| Blakey said a man had suffered very serious injuries while trying to access the location during the summer. In April, rescuers searched for a father and son who had been reported missing while trying to find the Priest’s Hole, weeks after the show aired. | Blakey said a man had suffered very serious injuries while trying to access the location during the summer. In April, rescuers searched for a father and son who had been reported missing while trying to find the Priest’s Hole, weeks after the show aired. |
| He added: “This group of friends were very well equipped and prepared for their adventure. | He added: “This group of friends were very well equipped and prepared for their adventure. |
| “However, as a team we are seeing more and more people who are attempting to locate the Priest’s Hole in the dark and without the right equipment. Indeed, during this rescue we came across three men who had been searching for the cave for a couple of hours. | “However, as a team we are seeing more and more people who are attempting to locate the Priest’s Hole in the dark and without the right equipment. Indeed, during this rescue we came across three men who had been searching for the cave for a couple of hours. |
| “We really would like to remind people that the cave is on the front face of a vertical cliff and it is only accessible by one route. It is always best to plan to stay in good weather and to arrive in daylight. An Ordnance Survey map and good navigations skills are prerequisites.” | “We really would like to remind people that the cave is on the front face of a vertical cliff and it is only accessible by one route. It is always best to plan to stay in good weather and to arrive in daylight. An Ordnance Survey map and good navigations skills are prerequisites.” |