Hiker reunited with Doctor Bristol after the fall of Scafell Pike

A hiker and the doctor who came to his aid after he fell on England’s highest mountain have been reunited.

Maths teacher Lyn Maddostri, 68, from Derbyshire, was walking on May 20 when she slipped and fell down the 978m cliff face of Scafell Pike.

Fortunately, she passed Dr William Crane, a GP in Bristol, who was able to help her until she was reached by an air ambulance.

After recovering from the accident, Mrs Maddostri set out to find the doctor she only knew as Will – and the pair were finally reunited by BBC Radio Bristol on Thursday.

Ms Maddostri said she “couldn’t be luckier” than to be passed by Dr Crane and friend Martin, a scout leader, after the fall which left her with a broken leg.

An experienced walker, Ms Maddostri was walking with her partner and another couple celebrating their birthday when she slipped on the way back down the Lake District mountain.

“I inadvertently picked a spot where I did a couple of forward rolls on some very, very sharp rocks and ended up in a very uncomfortable spot,” she told BBC Radio Bristol.

Bleeding profusely, unable to see well after hitting her head and with no phone signal to call for help, Ms Maddostri was left in a precarious position, far from the main route.

Fortunately, she was soon spotted by Dr. Crane, also on his way back down from the summit.

“We met Lyn and her partner who were trying to climb the side of the mountain, being helped by another couple, but she was obviously distressed so we stayed with her.

“The air force had already been called, someone ran out to do that and I stayed with her and did the medical work, warmed her up and helped treat some injuries.”

The pair stayed with her for “at least an hour” until the rescue helicopter arrived, and then for a while longer after it was forced to turn back after it failed to land.

An air ambulance medic was eventually able to reach the scene and administer pain relief, while the coastguard helicopter was asked to assist.

Ms Maddostri was then winched out of the river where she had fallen and taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for treatment.

During her recovery, she realized she hadn’t taken Dr Crane’s details to thank him – only knowing his first name and that he worked in Bristol – which is where BBC Radio Bristol stepped in.

After tracking down Dr Crane, the BBC Radio Bristol team managed to reunite the pair live so Ms Maddostri could thank them in person.

“People were so kind,” she said, describing how people climbing the mountain offered all kinds of helpful things while they waited for the air ambulance.

“It was amazing luck. I couldn’t have been luckier, I really couldn’t.”