Fell walkers recovering in hospital after avalanche sweeps them away

The party of men were thought to have triggered the incident as they walked on St Sunday Crag in Patterdale, near Penrith.

Police were alerted to the avalanche by a member of the public.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 men, believed to be from County Durham, were all located safely and taken to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue leader Martin Cotterell said two of the casualties suffered multiple injuries and were airlifted by stretcher in the helicopter. Another man suffered lesser leg injuries and was flown by air ambulance while the fourth walker appeared unhurt but was persuaded to go to hospital for a check-up, he said.

Mr Cotterell said: "We believe the party triggered the avalanche as they passed a point called Pinnacle Ridge. The two who were more seriously injured were swept away about 750ft.

"Some of the slopes in this area are currently unstable."