RENOWNED scientist Professor Sir John Holman is recovering well following a 131-foot fall in the Lake District.

Sir John, 65, was walking in Sour Milk Ghyll, Borrowdale, at the end of March, when he fell about 40 metres and was rescued by mountain rescue volunteers, the RAF and the air ambulance.

Sir John who is is a professor in the chemistry department at the University of York and was the founding director of the National Science Learning Centre in York suffered major head, chest and back injuries in the fall, but is now recovering at home, where he is said to be doing well.

He also works as a special advisor in education for the Wellcome Trust, where a spokeswoman said Sir John had been allowed home on April 2, just days after the fall - which happened when he was walking the Coast To Coast route.

She said: "The neurologist has predicted that he will be fine. He's recovering at home and has responded to some emails. I imagine he's quite keen to get back to his life. Apparently, the trauma unit at James Cook Hospital were fantastic, as were the volunteers and helicopter teams who rescued him.

"The weather wasn't that great and he slipped from the path. As far as we know the first door that was knocked on by his friend following the fall, was a member of the mountain rescue team."

The spokeswoman said Sir John's injuries had affected everyone at the Trust, and they were pleased to know he was recovering well.

She said: "I haven't spoken to him but various members of the team have and he sounded good, keen to get back to work and he's said he's very lucky to be alive.

"I don't think we're bombarding him with too much just yet, but I'm sure he's keen to get back to work being who he is. It was a fairly traumatic period in the office. He's very highly regarded and well-loved here and I think we were all very, very concerned. It was an absolute relief to hear he's doing so well. We are so relieved that he's recovering. We wish him the most speedy recovery and all the best."

York Press:
An RAF Sea King helicopter in action during the rescue operation in Borrowdale