A 20-strong mountain rescue team joined the air ambulance and paramedics for a dramatic Lake District mountain biker rescue.

Cockermouth mountain rescue team were scrambled on Thursday to assist the ambulance service and the Great North Air Ambulance recover a mountain biker who had fallen whilst cycling near Loweswater.

A spokesman for the team said they were alerted to the accident at about 4pm.

“The Team was requested to assist the North West Ambulance Service after a mountain biker visiting from the Netherlands went over his handlebars whilst riding near Loweswater.

“The casualty took a tumbling fall resulting in multiple injuries to his upper body.”

The mountain rescue team worked alongside The Great North Air Ambulance, who was first on the scene, to recover the cyclist and provide immediate treatment, before carrying him 250m to the waiting helicopter.

He was then flown to the Royal Preston Hospital for further medical treatment.

Cockermouth mountain rescue team leader Andrew McNeil said that ““On arrival it was clear the casualty had some potentially serious injuries.

“Both the air ambulance crew and the mountain rescue team worked brilliantly together, and we wish the casualty a speedy recovery.”

The 20-strong mountain rescue team was in action for about two hours. Thursday’s callout was the team’s 20th so far this year.