A fell runner has tragically died after slipping and falling during an attempt of the Bob Graham Round. 

Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team were called out to Ennerdale at around 11pm on Tuesday August 6 after a runner contacted police to say that their companion had slipped and fallen into Pillar Cove as the pair made their way down from Pillar to Kirk Fell.

HM Coastguard Rescue 199 was tasked to support, given the potential seriousness and remote location of the incident. As the team approached the base of Pillar in Ennerdale valley, it became apparent that the cloud base was too low for the helicopter to assist and team members began to work their way up to the summit of the mountain on foot.

Due to the uncertain casualty location and the conditions, neighbouring Teams were alerted to plan for a possible protracted search. However at around 0130, tragically, the body of the runner was located in Great Doup (Pillar Cove), to the east of the mountain summit.

A long and difficult evacuation followed, supported by six Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team members, eventually reaching the valley bottom at around 0630.

Cockermouth MRT said: "All the thoughts of The Team are with the casualty’s companion, family and friends.

"Our thanks go to Coastguard Rescue 199 and Wasdale MRT for their support and assistance."