A mountain rescue search of Blencathra is currently ongoing after the wife of a 51 year old man reported concern for his welfare when he failed to return from a walk yesterday.

Police received the call at 8.16pm yesterday, Wednesday 18 August, and a search for the man who is visiting the area from Nottingham was launched by Keswick MRT and assisted by an RAF helicopter. He is believed to be wearing waterproofs and possibly a lime green jacket.

The search resumed at 6am today by Keswick, Penrith and Kirkby Stephen MRTs and is currently ongoing.

Press Update - 12:20 19/08/10

A body of a man has been located following a large scale search of Blencathra.

Sadly, MRT teams found the body of a man at 9.36am this morning during a search that began last night by Keswick Mountain Rescue Team and continued at 6am this morning. The search was launched after the wife of a 51 year old man reported concern for his welfare when he failed to return from a walk yesterday.

The body has been recovered and police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death. Officers will now be working to formally identify the man and inform his immediate family.

Press Update - 15:40 19/08/10

Police can confirm that the body of a man found on Blencathra this morning has been formally identified as 51-yr-old Robert Keetley of Rutland Rd, Westbridgford, Nottingham.

A large scale search of Blencathra began last night when Mr Keepley’s wife reported her concerns for his welfare when he failed to return from a walk. Keswick Mountain Rescue team began a search last night with the help of RAF Valley helicopter. The search began again at 6am this morning involving Keswick, Penrith and Kirkby Stephen MRTs.

Police believe there are currently no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and the case will be passed to the coroner.