Yorkshire mountain rescue team issues warning after volunteer suffers life-changing injuries during call out to help campers breaching lockdown

Owen Phillips, team leader with the Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team in West Yorkshire, said they had received unprecedented levels of call outs this year due to the third national lockdown.

Mr Phillips said: "So far, we have had 24 shouts this year, which is an unprecedented level which we believe is because ore people are turning to walking for their daily exercise.

"Thankfully these people have all lived nearby and therefore they are not breaking any rules. We have got lots of accessible countryside here which is surrounded by urban cities so what people are doing is perfectly legitable.

"Most of our calls have been for slips and trips so we would really urge people to be aware and prepare for certain conditions. Our message would be, don't bite off more than you can chew."

Mr Phillips' comments come after a fundraising drive was launched for a mountain rescue volunteer who suffered life-changing injuries when he was called out to help campers breaching lockdown.

Chris Lewis, 60, from the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, fell 150 metres down a steep slope while on a call-out to Red Screes above Kirkstone Pass in the Lake District in the early hours of Saturday February 6.

The team had been called out to help a 47-year-old man from Leicester who was camping with another man from Liverpool.

The casualty, who was taken to hospital with chest pains and quickly recovered, and his companion were fined for breaching Covid travel restrictions.

A fundraising drive has now been launched to help Mr Lewis - who suffered multiple facial fractures and damaged his spinal cord - with recovery, rehabilitation and care.

A statement on a JustGiving page set up to raise funds said: "Chris is one of 40 volunteers in Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, from all walks of life and a wide range of ages.

"The team typically responds to approximately 70 incidents a year, usually, but not always, with less tragic consequences.

"The severity of Chris's injuries cannot be overstated and he will need significant support for the rest of his life."

Mr Phillips added: "We are very fortunate that accidents involving our rescuers are very few and far between.

"Our ethos is not to put ourselves in danger to someone who has become a cropper, but accidents can happen.

"Our thoughts are with Chris and we wish him a speedy recovery.”

To donate go to the fundraising campaign, please click here.