Person freed after becoming trapped under boulder on Scafell Pike

A person became trapped under a boulder near Dropping Crag on Scafell Pike on Sunday 18 October 2026, Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team has said.

Cumbria Police received several reports of someone stuck under a rock and getting cold near Dropping Crag, Wasdale MRT said in a post on its website. Some location information came with the calls, but the team leader could not reach the person directly.

Because the situation could have been serious, Wasdale MRT, Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency helicopter Rescue 899 from Prestwick were sent to the scene. The specialist rock-moving team COMRU was also contacted and began planning in case it was needed.

Further reports then said a member of the public had helped free the person, who was walking off. The helicopter stayed until this was confirmed, and a Wasdale team member who was fell running nearby also confirmed that all was well.

All teams were then stood down. "The team thanks Duddon & Furness MRT, COMRU & the crew of Rescue 899 and the member of the public for their help," Wasdale MRT said in its post.

Scafell Pike

Scafell Pike, in Cumbria's Lake District, is England's highest mountain at 978 metres above sea level. It forms part of the Scafell massif, an extinct volcano, and is one of the Southern Fells. (Wikipedia)

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team has covered the western fells of the Lake District, including Scafell Pike, for more than 50 years, according to its website. It has around 40 volunteer members and responds to more than 100 calls a year.

The team recorded 154 call-outs in 2025, according to the Mountain Rescue England and Wales annual review. (Mountain Rescue England and Wales, Wasdale MRT)

Staying safe

Anyone in difficulty in the hills should dial 999 or 112 and ask for the police, then mountain rescue, giving details such as location, injuries and the size of the party. People should not move from their position once they have made contact, and those with hearing or speech difficulties can register in advance for the emergencySMS service. (mountain.rescue.org.uk)

Earlier call-outs in Lake District & Cumbria

• Teenagers guided off Place Fell after tent collapses overnight

• Walker airlifted from Heron Pike after becoming unwell

• Woman rescued after fall near River Derwent below Castle Crag

Read Wasdale MRT’s original post on its website.

Sources

1. Dropping Crag, Scafell Pike: Sun 18th Oct 2026 Wasdale MRT
2. Scafell Pike Wikipedia
3. MREW Annual Review 2026, incident figures January to December 2025 Mountain Rescue England and Wales
4. Wasdale MRT website Wasdale MRT
5. In an emergency in the hills, dial 999 or 112, ask for the police, then mountain rescue. mountain.rescue.org.uk
6. If you have hearing or speech difficulties, you can register to contact 999 by text by sending the word register to 999 and following the instructions sent. mountain.rescue.org.uk