Alec Maguire, 41, wanted to impress Emma Hunt, 40, in the Lake District but he took a 196ft tumble, fracturing his spine, and needed to be airlifted in a five-hour rescue. Now the builder faces six months out of work. But Emma said the ordeal of being trapped in freezing rain failed to dampen their enthusiasm and they have agreed to a third date. Alec, of Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, and Emma, thought the views from Blencathra’s peak would be a perfect meet-up. But the driving rain forced them to turn back and he slipped, resulting in a flight to a Glasgow hospital. Emma said she was the more experienced walker and felt responsible as he was trying to impress her.
She said: “This walk was not above my skill set. Unfortunately my lovely companion was not as seasoned to walking and climbing as I am.
“I feel really responsible for his injuries and can’t wait to get up to Glasgow to see him again.
“(His) fracture is through a whole vertebra. A minimum of six months off work. God bless him he was trying to ‘impress the princess’ as one of my friends said. It won’t put me off climbing but I certainly won’t be encouraging him along with me anytime soon.
“Despite the drama, a third has already been discussed. Good news is we have bonded over the whole experience and I can’t wait to go pick him up from hospital.
“Next time I go for a scramble I will be leaving Alec safe at home. It’s not for the faint of heart and I totally mistook his enthusiasm for experience. Alec assures me he will get revenge – mountain biking on a black route.
“I already don’t like the sound of it. I like my feet firmly on the ground.” Emma launched a Facebook page to raise £500 for the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team who plucked them to safety. She said: “I can’t express my gratitude enough.”
