Search near Styhead called off before Keswick team reached walkers

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was called out on Friday 23 October 2026 to help search for a group near Styhead pass in the Lake District, after a walker triggered an iPhone SOS alert reporting a woman with a hip injury who was unable to move.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team asked for assistance after a group triggered more than one iPhone SOS message near Styhead pass, one of which described a woman unable to move because of a hip injury.

As Keswick's team made its way down Borrowdale valley, Wasdale received word that the group was at the Styhead stretcher box and that its own members were close by. Keswick's team was stood down and returned to base.

Wasdale's team reached the stretcher box but could not find the casualty party. A new location near Taylor Gill Force, above Seathwaite, was then given by the iPhone system, so Keswick's team set off again.

Soon afterwards, a call came through that the group was now at Seathwaite and no further assistance was needed. The team said in a post on its website that "the casualty party could not be found" at the stretcher box before the new location was given.

Eight team members were involved, with the call-out lasting one hour and five minutes.

Styhead Tarn

Styhead Tarn lies near the top of the Sty Head pass at the head of Borrowdale in the Lake District. It sits on a well-used route between Wasdale and Borrowdale, and is also passed by walkers climbing Scafell Pike from Borrowdale via the Corridor Route. (Wikipedia)

The team

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team covers a wide area of the north Lakes, including Skiddaw, Helvellyn and Great End, though it can operate anywhere in the Lake District for larger search operations. It recorded 138 call-outs in 2025, according to the Mountain Rescue England and Wales Annual Review 2026.

According to its website, it has recorded 151 rescues so far this year. (Mountain Rescue England and Wales, Keswick MRT)

Staying safe

Mountain Rescue England and Wales advises that in an emergency in the hills, people should dial 999 or 112, ask for the police, then mountain rescue, and give all available details of the incident, including location. It also advises against moving position once a call has been made until contacted by the rescue team. (mountain.rescue.org.uk)

Earlier call-outs in Lake District & Cumbria

• Man, 90, rescued after fall near Watendlath Beck

• Couple rescued after river crossing attempt on Blencathra

• Woman airlifted treatment after leg injury on Blencathra

Read Keswick MRT’s original post on its website.

Sources

1. Styhead Tarn (150) Keswick MRT
2. Styhead Tarn Wikipedia
3. MREW Annual Review 2026, incident figures January to December 2025 Mountain Rescue England and Wales
4. Keswick MRT website Keswick MRT
5. In an emergency in the hills, dial 999 or 112, ask for the police, then mountain rescue. mountain.rescue.org.uk