A volunteer mountain rescuer who suffered life-changing injuries while on a callout more than two years ago has died.
Chris Lewis, aged 62, of Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, was admitted to hospital on Saturday, September 2, with a chest infection and died of pneumonia the following Monday.
While on a call-out in February, 2021, Chris suffered spinal injuries when he fell 150m on steep ground on Red Screes, above the Kirkstone Pass.
The Patterdale team had responded to a call for help, which came in the midst of the Covid pandemic, from two men wild camping, one of whom was experiencing chest pains.
The two men who prompted the call-out had travelled from Liverpool and Leicester and were given fixed penalties for contravening lockdown regulations. The camper who felt ill was discharged from hospital the same day.
Chris was airlifted by Coastguard helicopter to hospital in Preston and spent time in intensive care. An online appeal to raise funds for his ongoing care raised more than £1m, with 39,000 people contributing. He was able to leave hospital for his home in Hawkshead.
Rescuers who were on scene when Chris fell received counselling in the wake of the incident, which had a profound impact on all those involved.
After the accident, Chris was wheelchair-bound and needed significant support. But despite his injuries, he remained an inspiration to his fellow volunteers and the wider community.
This week, the chairman and leader of Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team paid tribute to Chris, whom they described as having been an “outstanding candidate” to become the group’s next chairman.
Mike Rippon, team leader, told the Reminder: “Chris was an experienced fell-walker and mountaineer who quickly became a highly valued and respected member of the team.
“He took a full part in training activities and call-outs to incidents and was well liked by all who had the pleasure and privilege of working with him. His contribution to mountain rescue was in its early days and he undoubtedly had much more to offer both on the ground and in leadership roles. It is tragic that he was taken from us and his family so soon.”
Colonel (Retd) Chris Sanderson, Chairman, Patterdale Mountain Rescue Association, added: “Chris became a trustee of the charity Patterdale Mountain Rescue Association (PMRA) in May, 2019 and sadly suffered his life-changing accident in February, 2021.
“Prior to his accident, and over this last year during the latter stages of his recovery, Chris was a strong contributor to PMRA and Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association meetings and discussions.
“His contributions drew from his extensive commercial and charity management experience, and demonstrated impressive judgment, insight and inter-personal skills. He understood the nature of the challenges charities face and ways of resolving issues in the right way for the charity and in a way that drew support from fellow trustees.
“His qualities were such that to me, as the current chair, he was clearly the outstanding candidate to succeed me when my term of office ends next year. Similarly, I am sure that he would have been an excellent fit to assume the chairmanship of the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association in due course.
“I feel privileged to have known Chris and to have served alongside him as a trustee, and immensely saddened to have lost him in this tragic way. All our thoughts are with Carol, Chris’s widow, who was incredibly strong and supportive to Chris throughout his recovery.”
Mountain Rescue England and Wales said in a statement: “Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Chris continued to make a significant contribution to the Lake District’s mountain rescue community, in particular through his service as a trustee for Patterdale Mountain Rescue where his charity leadership experience and expertise were highly valued.
“Our deepest sympathies go to Carol, his family, friends and teammates. RIP Chris, and thank you for all that you gave to mountain rescue.”
