Overview
- A capsized inflatable canoe on Derwentwater, which flipped Saturday before Storm Dave’s peak, triggered a major rescue by mountain rescue, coastguard, police, fire, ambulance and an air ambulance.
- None of the three canoeists wore life jackets, with one reaching shore, one getting to St Herbert’s Island and one left in the water, and all were rescued, assessed on scene and released.
- Hours later the same night, Keswick Mountain Rescue found two teenage wild campers sheltering in a stretcher box after winds destroyed their tent near Sprinkling Tarn and escorted them and a solo camper to safety.
- Rescuers reported blocked roads, poor communications and limits on helicopter use during Storm Dave from April 2 to 6, with gusts on high fells near 80 mph making lakes rough and unsuitable for light craft.
- By Monday and Tuesday, Cumbrian teams issued fresh appeals to check mountain and lake forecasts, wear buoyancy aids and avoid exposed camps, noting a push to reach younger users and the strain on volunteer-led services.