The number of deaths due to Lake District accidents have more than doubled in the last three years, according to the head of the county’s mountain rescue association.
And Richard Warren has warned that there will be more fatalities unless people go better equipped.
There have been over 25 deaths so far this year, compared to 12 in 2019.
An inquest was opened and adjourned last week into the death of a 26-year-old man from Greater Manchester who fell into Ullswater while paddleboarding
“Our hearts go out to the families, it really is very, very desperate for them,” said Mr Warren. “But it will continue, we know the numbers will increase.
“There are too many people not really understanding the basic safe way to go walking. Rather than having a map and compass and learning how to use it, most people now are just relying on smartphones or following the people in front which is a recipe for disaster.”
Mr Warren added: “You might go out and buy a map and compass but unless you know which way points north and which way to orientate a map and what a beck, mountain top, deep ravine and contours look like then you are heading for trouble.”
The mountain association said it is increasing the number of volunteers, which also means increasing investment in safety equipment, to help cope with the rising call outs which have reached 440 so far in 2022.
A woman died at Surprise View last week. The incident saw teams from Keswick Mountain Rescue and the Great North Air Ambulance deployed.
A spokesman for Keswick MRT said: “A Keswick team member, along with a GNAAS doctor, were lowered from the top to the woman, whilst a second group of team members made an approach to the base of the cliff. Tragically the woman died from her injuries in the fall.”
Last Thursday, a man died while climbing Bram Crag Quarry.
Mr Warren also said there had been an increase in call outs to paddleboarding incidents as the activity has grown in popularity.
“We had a really tragic incident a couple of weeks back where two people standing on a paddleboard in the middle of Ullswater both fell off, one got back on the other didn’t appear,” he said.
The inquest into the death of paddleboarder Olumide Favour Giwa heard how he was reported to have got into difficulties off Aira Point, close to the Ullswater Steamers landing pier, on the afternoon of Sunday, August 7. A friend was reported to have contacted the emergency services to raise the alarm.
The four-day search included teams from the coastguard, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Maryport Inshore Rescue and members of both Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team and the North West Underwater Search Team.
Sonar equipment and aircraft — to sweep the area — were used during the operation, while the public were asked to avoid the area as the search was carried out.
