A WOMAN who survived a 300ft fall down a mountain says that she is lucky to be alive.
Beryl Hunt, 59, from Redcar, east Cleveland, is reported to be "comfortable and improving" in Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary, where she was taken suffering from a broken leg and ribs.
Mrs Hunt slipped and fell while walking on England's third highest mountain - Helvellyn in the Lake District - the day after the fell footpaths were reopened, following the lifting of restrictions imposed because of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.
She was airlifted to hospital after being rescued by members of Patterdale Mountain Rescue.
A hospital spokesman said yesterday: "Her husband says she considers herself very lucky, and is very grateful to everyone."
Mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington had reopened some of the hills, the day before Mrs Hunt's fall, in an attempt to attract visitors back to the area.
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