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Men rescued from Lakes avalanche Two fall 750ft in Lakes avalanche
(20 minutes later)
Four walkers have been rescued after being swept away by an avalanche on a remote fell in the Lake District. Two climbers were swept 750ft (228m) down a remote fell after triggering an avalanche in the Lake District.
Mountain rescuers said two of the men fell 750ft (228m) down St Sunday Crag in Patterdale shortly before 1400 GMT. The others emerged nearer the fell top. The men suffered serious injuries and were airlifted off St Sunday Crag in Patterdale after a major rescue operation was sparked at 1400 GMT.
Three were airlifted off the fell, with one suffering serious head and leg injuries. Another had chest injuries. Two other men were caught in the avalanche but emerged nearer the fell top and suffered lesser injuries.
The men, from County Durham, triggered the avalanche in attempting to climb a snow-covered ridge, rescuers said.The men, from County Durham, triggered the avalanche in attempting to climb a snow-covered ridge, rescuers said.
Martin Cotterell, leader of Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, said: "The men had got to the top of their climb when they were faced by a snow covered ridge and they triggered the avalanche when they attempted to climb it. Martin Cotterell, leader of Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, said of the two men swept down the hill, one suffered serious head and leg injuries while the other had chest injuries.
He said: "The men had got to the top of their climb when they were faced by a snow covered ridge, called Pinnacle Ridge, and they triggered the avalanche when they attempted to climb it.
Unstable areasUnstable areas
"Two were swept down the fell and were found in the debris of the avalanche. The other two men have somehow rolled out closer to the top, we are not sure how.""Two were swept down the fell and were found in the debris of the avalanche. The other two men have somehow rolled out closer to the top, we are not sure how."
The two most badly injured were taken of the fell by a helicopter from RAF Boulmer and the third was rescued by air ambulance. An RAF Sea King helicopter from RAF Boulmer in Northumberland was sent to the scene along with a 19-strong team from Patterdale Mountain Rescue and two North West Air Ambulance crews.
The final man walked off the fell with mountain rescuers before being taken to hospital. Three of the men were airlifted off the fell but the final man walked down with mountain rescuers before being taken to hospital.
Insp Lee Skelton, of Cumbria Police, said recent heavy snow falls combined with fluctuating temperatures had left many areas unstable.Insp Lee Skelton, of Cumbria Police, said recent heavy snow falls combined with fluctuating temperatures had left many areas unstable.
Officers are urging people not walk in the fells and to postpone activities until conditions improve on high land.Officers are urging people not walk in the fells and to postpone activities until conditions improve on high land.