Mountain rescue issue strong warning to public
Mountain rescue teams in the Lake District have issued a strong warning to visitors, asking them to think twice about travelling to the area now that lockdown rules have been eased.
From Wednesday, people in England are able to travel an unlimited distance in order to exercise, but rescuers say they're concerned more people will go to the high fells - something they say is a risk too far.
Richard Warren, from Lake District Search & Mountain Rescue Teams, said:"On these narrow paths you'll be overtaking people who are slower. There's steep ground either side.
"When you get on the tops of the mountains everyone wants to stand on that top of Scafell Pike. You can't social distance on the summit of Scafell Pike."
In line with government guidance, the team of volunteers wear personal protective equipment during each rescue.
Warren said: "There's a risk to the team members but also to the casualty. We have to wear personal protective equipment but it's not the same as you'll see in the hospital.
"We'll have to wear our waterproof jackets, waterproof leathers, goggles, face mask."
"Will the team members want to put their lives at risk, their families lives at risk for someone who perhaps shouldn't be up there because they haven't been prepared properly?
"They may be told you're not going to die of hypothermia, you may have to wait for first light to find your own way off the mountain."
The Mountain Rescue Teams ask people to think twice, even three times, before travelling to the Lake District for your exercise.
Related: