A young walker, who had become separated from his family while out in the Lake District, was found by two wild campers who heard him shouting for help.
The family called Cumbria police yesterday, Friday May 30, after they had become separated from the young member of their group shortly after beginning their descent from Scafell Pike’s summit in misty conditions.
They had searched for around two-and-a-half hours and there was growing concern for his safety.
Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team was called into action at around 7.10pm.
The team said: “The team leader acted quickly to initiate search assets from many resources, including Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team, search dogs and a Coastguard helicopter.
“A Coniston Mountain Rescue Team member camping locally with his family also kindly offered to help.
“Due to declining daylight and the possibility of a longer operation should the hasty searches be unsuccessful, formal search management was also established in readiness for a request for help from all Lake District mountain rescue teams for an escalated search on Saturday.”
However, as the search was expanding and team members search routes across Scafell Pike, a 999 text message was sent to Cumbria police by two wild campers in Upper Eskdale.
The team said: “This indicated the name and location of the missing walker. With this excellent news, a nearby Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team search team arrived quickly, establishing that the walker had sustained minor injuries only.
“The Coastguard helicopter also diverted quickly to the location and was on the ground at that location within 15 minutes of the text arriving.
“The walker was then flown to Brackenclose to be reunited with his very relieved and grateful family. All teams stood down and returned to their respective bases and homes.
“A great outcome for what was a very worrying situation. We’d like to thank all the agencies involved for their rapid deployment and teamwork.
“A special mention also for the wild campers for looking after the walker after they heard his shouts and having the knowledge to send a 999 text when there is no mobile phone signal.”
