A MOUNTAIN rescue team who helped hugely during Storm Desmond has reported a sharp fall in callouts for 2016.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team's annual report highlights details of all 66 incidents the team attended.

They vary from injured snowboarders, a man being 'frozen but alive' and miraculous escapes after falling from heights.

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There was also two fatalities.

Although the amount of callouts had decreased from 92 in 2015, the team reported a rise in incidents in the Dove Crag area, above Patterdale.

This included the death a 50-year-old experienced mountaineer.

Many of the local beauty spots, including Howtown and Aira Force waterfalls, were featured in the incidents, which were often easily attributed to 'slippery paths, a loss of balance, or a simple mistake.'

"Accidents happen, and as a team, that's why we're here," said team leader Mike Blakey in the report.

"Accidents can happen to anyone and we'd never want a casualty, their family and friends or someone lost on a fell to feel any hesitation in calling out mountain rescue if needed - we are not here to criticise but to help, to find and to rescue."

Following Storm Desmond in December 2015, the team's rescue centre was made more water resilient, with added barriers to doors, lifted electrics, a more efficient heating system and a larger drying room, thanks to support from Cumbria Community Foundation's Flood Relief Fund.

The team also has their own auxiliary generator to keep their communications up in case of an electricity fail, as well as a new satellite system.

The team's inflatable boat has also returned to duty following flood damage repair.

A new Land Rover was also added to the team's fleet, dedicated to the memory of their long-time supporter Jim Cowlin.

"As always, I am astounded by the time and effort that team members, their families and our many supporters put into making Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team work. On behalf of all our casualties, those in 2016 and those to come in 2017, I would like to thank them publicly," Mr Blakey said.