Phone's SOS Feature Aids Mountain Rescue for Grandfather and Grandson

A seven-hour rescue operation in the Lake District concluded successfully on Thursday for an injured grandfather and his grandson, aided by an emergency call placed through an iPhone. The incident occurred near Skew Gill, a steep ravine on the popular route to Scafell Pike.

Cumbria Police received the SOS alert from the iPhone around 8:30 p.m. The call came after two walkers discovered the 77-year-old grandfather, who had sustained wrist and knee injuries, and his 19-year-old grandson. These two walkers remained with the pair until rescue teams arrived.

A Coastguard helicopter was dispatched to the location but was unable to land due to adverse weather conditions. Simultaneously, 14 volunteers from the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team made their way to the stranded individuals and initiated an evacuation. The volunteers provided the two assisting walkers with replacement head torches, as theirs had run out, enabling them to safely return to their vehicle.

After being stretchered off the mountain, the grandfather was handed over to paramedics from the North West Ambulance Service, accompanied by his grandson. The mountain rescue statement indicated that the team assessed and warmed both individuals before commencing the evacuation. The rescue concluded shortly before 3:30 a.m., after which the team returned to their base to dry their equipment before heading home.