Coniston Mountain Rescue Team responded to a fatal incident on the top of the Old Man of Coniston last week.

Last Saturday, July 31st on a cool and cloudy day for summer in the Lakes. North West Ambulance Service called for the mountain rescue teams assistance with a man who had had a medical issue on the main track near to the top of the Old Man of Coniston.

Passers-by and family members were administering CPR, and the team deployed a fast response party, taking over CPR on arrival.

Two Helimeds and a coastguard helicopter attended but could not land anywhere near because of the low cloud and turbulence.

The paramedics from the North West Air Ambulance were driven up the hill in the mountain rescue teams Land Rover as far as possible, then they and more team members ascended the hill.

Despite the best efforts of the paramedics and the team for a long time, resuscitation was not possible.

Jeff Carroll, deputy team leader of Coniston Mountain Rescue team said: “It was a pretty sad event.

"The gentleman was walking and he just collapsed. There was a lot of people on the mountain at the time and they were well supported of us getting there and the air ambulance but there is only so much you can do.

"Maybe it wouldn’t have made a difference where he was but it’s one of those sad events where it happens.

"It’s what we are there for, it’s always sad when someone doesn’t make it despite all our best efforts but we just have to try and get on and deal with it best we can.

"We’ve just got a job to do really – it does remind you of how fragile life can be sometimes though."

A message on behalf of the gentleman’s family to the Rescue team said: "The family were overwhelmed by the number of people who stopped, helped and surrounded them with love and support that afternoon.

"They felt they were in a circle of love, and want to say a heartfelt thank you.".

Jeff said: "It’s the family who you are trying to treat eventually, you have to support them as it’s a really huge thing for them to try and process."