2015 was the busiest year to date for the Kendal Mountain Search and Rescue Team.
Kendal’s volunteer Mountain Rescue Team were alerted to 73 incidents during 2015, an increase of over 20% on their previous highest total.
Whilst there have been the expected lost walkers and hill-walking accidents, the team has also attended varied incidents right across their area, including on the rivers and coasts and in the centre of town.
KMSRT has called on the support of fellow Lake District teams and been called to assist across the region more frequently too.
There is little to suggest any one reason for the increase in incident numbers, rather a mix of contributory factors.
Weather has certainly played its part with assistance given to the ambulance service during snow in early March and, of course, a very busy November and December responding to flooding incidents.
Team Leader Dave Howarth said “I’m very grateful to the team members and their families for all the time they have put in this year.
"I would also like to thank all the people who have raised funds or donated to us this year.
"We could not have responded to all of these incidents without them.
"In particular, the recent floods show that Mountain Rescue is so much more than mountains and we are proud to be able to help the community we are part of in whatever we can.”