Man rescued on his 75th birthday

The injured man was treated at the scene

A man celebrating his 75th birthday has had to be airlifted to safety from a Cumbrian peak.

The man, from Nottingham, slipped and injured his hip climbing Helvellyn in the Lake District on Tuesday.

The man was treated at the scene then carried along the ridge on a stretcher which was then roped down the fell.

The incident coincided with the Mountain Rescue's own 75th anniversary this year, a Patterdale Mountain Rescue spokesman said.

Reunited with wife

Dave Freeborn, from Patterdale Mountain Rescue team, said: "He was unable to walk and passing walkers and family helped him to the summit shelter."

Penrith team members also helped rescue the man, who has not been named.

Mr Freeborn added: "After being reunited with his wife he was transported to the rescue centre by team ambulance and then taking by county ambulance to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.

"The man we rescued was celebrating his 75th birthday, but ironically at Mountain Rescue we're also celebrating our own 75th anniversary this year."

Helvellyn is the third highest peak in England, standing at 950m (3,117ft) above sea level.