Lake District mountain rescuer who fell while trying to help lockdown breakers dies
A mountain rescue volunteer who suffered life-changing injuries while trying to help while trying to help wild campers who broke coronavirus lockdown restrictions has died.
Chris Lewis, a member of the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team in the Lake District, fell 500ft, severely damaging his spine, at Red Screes, above Kirkstone Pass, near Ambleside, on 6 February 2021, while responding to a call from wild campers.
He suffered multiple facial fractures and never walked again following the fall, needing a wheelchair and round-the-clock care.
However, he continued to support mountain rescue teams in the Lake District area and earlier this year received the Inspiring Eden Award for his bravery and service to the community.
In a statement, the mountain rescue team said Mr Lewis had returned home following lengthy hospital treatment after his fall but was admitted to Furness General on 2 September with a chest infection and pneumonia. He died two days later.
The two campers whom Mr Lewis was trying to help at the time of his fall had called for help after one of them began experiencing chest pains.
Some members of the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team had just reached the pair after midnight when Mr Lewis slipped.
At the time, members of the team described how the temperature was a little above freezing and it was sleeting at the time of the incident.
