The father of a North Yorkshire walker who was badly injured in an accident in the Lake District has paid tribute to his rescuers.

Walter Boston thanked the RAF and the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team for plucking his son David from a precipitous mountainside near Keswick, and then working to keep him alive until he arrived at Newcastle General Hospital.

David, 30, of Escrick, suffered serious head injuries when he fell from a ridge called Sharp Edge, near Keswick, just over a fortnight ago.

The rescue team and helicopter were taking part in a rescue exercise in the area at the time, and were able to reach him within minutes of the accident after someone raised the alarm using a mobile phone. He was strapped into a special stretcher and then winched on board the helicopter.

"We have already been in touch with the people who did the rescue with our grateful thanks for all their efforts," said Mr Boston senior, of Huntington.

He said his son had now been transferred from Newcastle to Leeds General Infirmary, which made it far easier for visitors from York. "It's the difference between a 70 mile round journey and 200 miles."

He added that David, who was on a neurological ward at Leeds, was making progress but slowly.

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