CONISTON Mountain Rescue Team (CMRT) have successfully replaced an iconic emergency stretcher box, providing important rescue equipment and restoring a local landmark.

Members of the mountain rescue team climbed to the stretcher box’s location on Dow Crag on Tuesday (July 17) morning, with a helicopter assisting in lifting the heavy panels required for construction.

Emergency stretcher boxes contain vital rescue equipment, and are generally placed in high and inaccessible mountainous regions. The boxes – kept unlocked – enable climbers to more easily access rescue gear in case of emergencies.

Although used less frequently than in the past due to advances in technology, the majority of these boxes are still maintained by local mountaineering societies and rescue teams.

Coniston’s stretcher box – painted blue and rescue marked – remains an iconic landmark in the renowned climbing area.

The Dow Crag stretcher box was originally provided by the Barrow Mountaineering and Ski Club. It serves as a memorial to two of their members – Ross Porteus and Tony Fisher – who died during an avalanche on Helvellyn. A stone plaque bearing their names lies on the stretcher box’s base.

This stretcher box has been repaired numerous times since its initial installation, and has now been completely renewed thanks to the work of the CMRT.