MOUNTAIN rescue volunteers retrieved the body of a man who became unwell near the summit of Scafell Pike.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team said the man passed away after spending the day enjoying the Cumbrian views.

It happened on Sunday.

A spokesman for the team said: "Sometimes no matter how many team members we put on our hills or how much quicker our runners ascend to our summits or how much additional kit we carry up on our shoulders, every now and then it is just not enough and another life passes.

"Being part of a Mountain Rescue team can be most rewarding of challenges to us all, but on occasions such as last Sunday the team needs to dig deep and bring back down to the valley somebody’s loved one.

"After spending the day enjoying some of Cumbria’s finest views in the most amazing conditions a gentleman became very ill and passed away just a stone’s throw from the summit of Scafell Pike.

"Many thanks to the good samaritans who stayed with this gentleman throughout, until the Air Ambulance crew was on scene. Thank you to the crew of GNAAS for going that extra mile and the team members of Duddon & Furness MRT who immediately came to assist. Our thoughts are with the family and friends during this most difficult time."