Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team were called out on Thursday following a serious, potentially catastrophic fall on Pillar - the eight highest mountain in the Lake District.
A spokesperson from CMRT said:
"An experienced, well equipped walker slipped and took an almighty tumble down a steep gully just a few metres below the summit of Pillar, and didn’t stop until he landed in some avalanche debris (which probably saved his life) just above West Waterfall 200m below, sustaining multiple severe injuries in the process.
"As he said himself, he pretty much hit everything on the way down. A large contingent from CMRT and a coastguard helicopter was scrambled.
"The helicopter crew ferried team members and kit up onto the summit in order to treat and secure the casualty as quickly as possible and he was rapidly evacuated to hospital, where he is recovering from his ordeal.
"Without the coastguard assistance, the outcome could have been a negative one.
"If you look closely at the left hand side of the first picture, you can see the casualty site just above West Waterfall. Now follow the snow up and around the corner to the left to get an idea of the distance the casualty fell. It doesn’t bear thinking about. Thankfully this story had a happy ending."
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