Why mountain rescue teams need our support after volunteer badly injured – The Yorkshire Post says

THE dedication of mountain rescue volunteers is typified by 60-year-old Chris Lewis who suffered life-changing spinal injuries after going to the rescue of two Lake District campers who became stranded in atrocious weather – and in breach of the lockdown.
By YP Comment
Published 16th Feb 2021, 16:34 BST
Undated handout photo of Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team volunteer Chris Lewis, 60, who suffered life-changing injuries when he fell while on a call out to help campers who were breaching lockdown rules in the early hours of Saturday February 6. A fundraising drive has been launched for Chris who fell 150 metres down a steep slope while on a call-out to help a 47-year-old man from Leicester who was camping in the Lake District.Undated handout photo of Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team volunteer Chris Lewis, 60, who suffered life-changing injuries when he fell while on a call out to help campers who were breaching lockdown rules in the early hours of Saturday February 6. A fundraising drive has been launched for Chris who fell 150 metres down a steep slope while on a call-out to help a 47-year-old man from Leicester who was camping in the Lake District.
Undated handout photo of Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team volunteer Chris Lewis, 60, who suffered life-changing injuries when he fell while on a call out to help campers who were breaching lockdown rules in the early hours of Saturday February 6. A fundraising drive has been launched for Chris who fell 150 metres down a steep slope while on a call-out to help a 47-year-old man from Leicester who was camping in the Lake District.

“He’s having conversations about where we are going to go in the wheelchair,” said Mr Lewis’s colleague Mike Blakey who described the mission as the worst that he has ever experienced in his time with the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team.

And, leaving aside the sheer stupidity of the campers who have each been fined £200, a sum which appears pitifully insignificant, The Yorkshire Post, for one, hopes readers will back the online appeal set up for Mr Lewis and his family. Just like this county’s mountain rescue teams, these volunteers risk their lives to ensure the safety of others and now, more than ever, need walkers to show their support – and, if it’s not too much to ask, some common sense and respect for the current rules.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click here to subscribe.

Related topics:Yorkshire PostLake DistrictYorkshire

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.