Edale MRT had a busy start to the year with three rescues

Mountain rescuers have reminded walkers to pack a torch when they head for the hills after a family called for help after getting lost in the dark.

Edale Mountain Rescue Team was called out when the family of five rang 999 at 6pm on Monday to say they were lost on Hope Brink, west of Win Hill overlooking the Peak District village of Hope.

The family reported they were lost without any lights.

Martin Gorman of the Edale MRT said: “Using the dad’s smartphone and some clever software we were able to pinpoint their exact location before sending a party of team members to escort them safely off the hill.

“The incident does highlight the need to carry adequate lights if you are walking in the hills, particularly in winter when, as this family found, darkness comes on quickly.”

The rescue was the third of the New Year, after a busy 2012 which saw the team called out 114 times.

On Sunday the team went to the aid of a woman who broke her ankle while walking in very muddy woodland near Castleton. “She was quickly found and slid down the hill to a waiting ambulance,” Mr Gorman said.

On Friday the volunteer team was called out to help Derbyshire Fire Service at an incident on the Monsal Trail near Litton.

Mr Gorman said: “In a bizarre accident, a 10-year-old riding his bike on the trail had fallen off, slid under a fence and 10m down a steep bank, fortunately coming to rest before another big drop down to the river.

“Extricating the boy involved personnel and equipment from Edale and Buxton MRTs, the fire and ambulance services and the crew of the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance. Police and national park rangers were also on scene.

“He sustained some back and chest injuries and was flown to Sheffield Children’s Hospital for treatment.”