A RUNNER collapsed during an organised long distance race - leading to a response from Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team and a Coastguard helicopter. 

The mountain rescuers were alerted by Cumbria Police at 1.07pm to a man who had been unconscious for a 'short time' who was witnessed by two runners a short distance behind him. 

"Due to the nature of the report and the possibility of the male having a cardiac Arrest the duty leader requested assistance from Search And Rescue Helicopter and the Air Ambulance," a spokesperson said. 

The helicopter landing on the side of the fellThe helicopter landing on the side of the fell (Image: Patterdale MRT)

Three of the team's Land Rovers drove round Ullswater to the scene in Fusedale. 

"Once at the casualty he was examined by the team doctor, treatment was given and he was then packaged in the stretcher and carried down to more suitable ground where he was placed in the Coastguard Helicopter," the spokesperson added.

The runner was flown to hospital with one of the team doctors for further treatment. 13 team members were involved for a total of three and a half hours.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue thanked the Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter from Humberside for their 'swift response and assistance.'