Incident reports

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February 2026

19 incidents
Cave entrapment/Rescue Highlands

A caver required rescue after becoming stuck within a cave system in the north-west Highlands. The extraction involved specialized equipment and was managed by local mountain rescue teams and experienced cavers. The team advised others on the necessity of checking weather forecasts and never undertaking caving trips alone.

Outcome: Rescued safely

Ben Nevis, Aonach Mor

Mountain Rescue (Avalanche/Exposure) Highlands

Six individuals were rescued across four separate incidents involving Ben Nevis and Aonach Mor due to strong winds and avalanches. The rescues included assisting a walker unable to descend Ben Nevis and recovering two climbers from Tower Ridge after an eight-hour technical operation.

Outcome: All rescued safely

Ben Nevis, Aonach Mòr, Tower Ridge

multiple incidents: walker unable to descend, climbers stranded, injured skier, avalanche rescue Highlands

Six people were rescued in four separate incidents on and around Ben Nevis during gale-force winds and avalanche conditions on Tuesday evening and Wednesday. Rescues included a walker unable to descend, two climbers on Aonach Mòr, two climbers from Tower Ridge, and an injured skier, with a significant avalanche occurring in the Red Burn area during operations.

Outcome: six people rescued by Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and coastguard helicopters; Tower Ridge rescue took eight hours

Crib Goch ridge, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

medical emergency Snowdonia Serious incident

A walker on Crib Goch ridge suffered a heart issue and required emergency rescue by Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team. Two cars parked illegally in a restricted zone at Pen-y-Pass car park initially blocked access to the mountain rescue ambulance, but hikers assisted in moving one vehicle to allow the team through.

Outcome: casualty evacuated from Crib Goch

Nevis Range

Fall/Injury Highlands Serious incident

Emergency services were called to the Aonach Mor area after reports of an injured man in the Nevis Range. The individual was attended to by Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and subsequently died in hospital the following day.

Outcome: Fatality

Fionn Bheinn near Achnasheen

Dog rescue/Snow cornice fall Highlands

A spaniel dog survived an overnight ordeal after falling through a snow cornice on a peak in Ross-shire. Following initial rescue efforts for the group of walkers and dogs, the missing dog was eventually located by the team member who was lowered into the corrie.

Outcome: The dog was safely recovered after spending the night in snowy conditions.

Glenridding Dodd, north side

injured walker Lake District

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team responded to two separate ankle injuries on the north side of Glenridding Dodd within three days. On 15 February, a walker went over on their ankle and was evacuated by stretcher to hospital. Two days later on 17 February, another walker sustained a dislocated ankle in the same location and was similarly evacuated.

Outcome: both casualties evacuated by stretcher to hospital

Glenridding Dodd

Injury/Medical Emergency Lake District

A mountain rescue team responded to two separate incidents involving hikers sustaining ankle injuries while descending the north side of Glenridding Dodd over a period of three days. In both cases, the team provided immediate care and evacuated the injured individuals via stretcher down The Rake.

Outcome: Casualties were treated and evacuated to hospital.

Fionn Bheinn, Achnasheen

Mountain rescue/Fall through snow cornice Highlands

A group of four hillwalkers and their dogs fell through a cornice on Fionn Bheinn in Achnasheen. After initial efforts to locate the missing members, the dog was eventually found alive near its last known location.

Outcome: All people were found safe; the dog was located alive.

Helvellyn

walkers in difficulty Lake District

Two walkers became stranded on Helvellyn in snowy conditions and were rescued by teenagers. The rescue was successful and the casualties were brought to safety.

Outcome: rescued by teenagers

Keld

Animal Rescue/Water Rescue Yorkshire Dales

The rescue was requested by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue for a dog trapped on an island near Keld. Team members arrived to support the efforts, ultimately establishing a handline that allowed for the safe extraction of all parties involved.

Outcome: Successful rescue

Glas Maol, Cairngorms

Avalanche/Search and Rescue Highlands

Outcome: The individual was found alive with cuts and bruises after falling hundreds of feet during an avalanche. Multiple agencies responded to the incident in poor visibility.

injured walker - knee injury Lake District

A female walker sustained a knee injury near Howton and was unable to bear weight on her leg. Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team located her, provided pain relief and splinting, then stretchered her to the lake shore and transported her by rescue boat to Glenridding pier for onward hospital treatment.

Outcome: casualty evacuated by stretcher and rescue boat to hospital for treatment

multiple incidents: fallen walker, crag-fast climbers (two incidents) Highlands

Three major incidents occurred on Ben Nevis over three days in early February. A walker fell 150 metres on Friday and was stretchered to safety; two climbers became crag-fast on Fairy Godmother at Creag Meagaidh and were lowered to safety; and on Sunday, two climbers stranded in Tower Gully were rescued in severe weather conditions including snow, sleet and rime ice. All casualties were safely evacuated.

Outcome: all casualties stretchered or lowered to safety and evacuated

Barnstaple area

Missing Person Search Dartmoor

The team was called by Devon & Cornwall Police to conduct a search for a missing person in the Barnstaple area on Friday morning. The search was cancelled while en route after police enquiries located the individual.

Outcome: Person found

Whitaside / Wensleydale

Vehicle entrapment/Rescue Yorkshire Dales

Mountain Rescue was called out to assist a party stranded in their vehicle due to ice above Whitaside. After assessing the conditions, the team advised the group that it was safe for them to retrace their steps down into Wensleydale under supervision.

Outcome: Safe exit from the area

Hawkswick Fell

Missing Person Search Yorkshire Dales

The team was called out by North Yorkshire Police to search for a high-risk missing person near Starbottom in the Hawkswick area. After initial searches proved unsuccessful, the casualty was eventually located through a systematic search of the fell and subsequently handed over to an ambulance for care.

Outcome: Found and treated on scene

Ben Nevis, Orion

missing climber, presumed dead Highlands Serious incident

An experienced ice climber failed to return from an ascent of Orion on Ben Nevis in Scotland. He is presumed to have lost his life due to unpredictable weather and avalanches on the mountain.

Outcome: climber presumed lost to avalanche

January 2026

5 incidents

River Burn south of Masham

Injury/Rescue Yorkshire Dales

The rescue was requested after an individual sustained a lower leg injury from a fall while walking their dog. The casualty was located on a footpath by the River Burn south of Masham, making access difficult for initial emergency services.

Outcome: Casualty was packaged and transferred to an ambulance.

Brown Cove Crags, Helvellyn

climber fall Lake District Serious incident

A climber fell approximately 100 metres down a gully on Brown Cove Crags on Helvellyn on 30 January and was rescued by Keswick Mountain Rescue with assistance from Patterdale Mountain Rescue, a Coast Guard helicopter, and GNAAS. The casualty was conscious but in significant pain and was evacuated by stretcher, lowered by rope, and winched into the helicopter before being flown to hospital in Preston.

Outcome: evacuated by helicopter to hospital in Preston

Grizeback, Lake District

Missing Person Search Pennines

The team was called out on 28 January for a high-risk search operation involving a missing young person in the Dunnon & Furness area. The search concluded successfully when it was confirmed that the teenager had been found safe and well.

Outcome: Person Found Safe

Location not specified

stranded walkers Lake District

A group of adults were rescued from an icy mountain by teenagers after the adults became stranded while wearing inappropriate footwear and clothing. The incident highlights the importance of proper equipment and preparation for mountain conditions.

Outcome: rescued by teenagers

Multiple call-outs/Winter rescue operations Highlands

The Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team reported a busy couple of days, which included training followed by three call-outs all located in Coire an t-Sneachda. Another local team also experienced a busy weekend involving technical rigging and the assessment and evacuation of multiple casualties during challenging winter conditions.

Outcome: Casualties were assessed, stabilised, and evacuated.