A WALKER has died, and another has been left seriously injured, after falling from a notorious Lake District hiking spot in two separate incidents over the course of the bank holiday weekend.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team reported the death of a man on Sunday, and the rescue of another on Monday, following two "very difficult and challenging days" on Helvellyn.

Team leader Mike Blakey said: "Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family and friends of the man who tragically lost his life after falling over 200m from Striding Edge on Sunday.

"This particularly sad rescue has touched the hearts of all concerned. The family was very well equipped and this was simply a tragic accident."

The team were also called out just before 3pm on Monday, when a man and his dog fell a similar distance from Striding Edge. The man sustained very serious injuries and was treated by team members alongside a Great North Air Ambulance doctor and paramedic.

Given the poor weather, the team swiftly lowered and carried the man below the cloud to a point at which the Coastguard Rescue 199 helicopter could evacuate. The coastguard helicopter crew did an "astounding" job getting as close as possible to the team in "atrocious" flying conditions, the mountain rescue team reported.

The man's dog is at a local veterinary practice having been treated by the team's vet on the scene. He has suffered a serious leg fracture and will be operated on today (29). He's comfortable at present.

Mr Blakey said: 'We are all hoping for a positive outcome for both the man and dog as every emergency service member involved gave their all to give the best friends the best possible chance of survival. The group were well equipped and experienced.

"I would also like to formally thank the two men from Bradford who did everything they could to assist the party and the rescue team.'

While the team were dealing with the incident on Sunday, two mountain bikers were also treated for injuries. One for a deep laceration to his leg and the second for a hip injury having both cycled over a rocky outcrop on their descent from Helvellyn.

Later that evening, the team were called out to search for a father and daughter reported as missing on Helvellyn. They turned up safe and well as the team were responding.

Patterdale members thanked Penrith Mountain Rescue Team for back-up on both incidents.