The two walkers who were rescued after getting lost on the Pennine Way. Photo: Northumberland Mountain Rescue Service
A pair of walkers were rescued after getting lost in the dark on the northern stretches of the Pennine Way.
The man and woman, both 18, were reported missing by the woman’s family, who had been due to meet them at Blindburn in the upper Coquet Valley last night.
The pair and their dog were attempting the national trail from North to South, but lost their way along the Border Ridge.
The Northumberland Mountain Rescue Service, made up of members of the Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team and North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team, was called out at 11pm.
A rescue spokesperson said: “The parents of the female walker had contacted police earlier in the evening to say they were concerned for the two walkers and their dog, who had not arrived at the designated meeting point by the agreed time.
“The police then received a 999 call from the walkers confirming they were indeed lost. Information from the walkers suggested that they had been heading west along the Border Ridge and had climbed Mozie Law and Beefstand Hill, before heading south towards Blindburn to meet with the female’s parents.
“A hill team and two mountain rescue search dog teams were deployed as part of an initial limited response, the hill team searching the ridge north from Carlcroft farm towards Beefstand Hill and the search dogs, the Blind Burn towards Lamb Hill and then Beefstand Hill.”
The walkers were found by the hill team about half past midnight, safe and well, but tired and slightly cold.
The woman was given an insulated jacket to warm her and they were escorted off the hill from their location near the summit of Carlcroft Hill, just over a kilometre from the valley road and 1.5km (1 mile) from their intended finish point. They were both keeping warm in a bivvy bag.
Rescuers said the walkers were well equipped and had torches. They used a whistle to attract the attention of the mountain rescuers as the hill team approached.
The pair were helped to the car where the woman’s relieved parents and younger sister were waiting. Rescuers said they intended to continue with their Pennine Way journey after a good night’s sleep.
Iain Nixon, deputy team leader of Northumberland National Park MRT said: “This young couple are to be congratulated at being well equipped with maps and warm gear, and for and using torches and a whistle to attract the attention of the mountain rescuers as the hill team approached.
“This can make a big difference to survival if someone is injured.
“Although it’s late summer, nights in the hills are already cold and it’s easy to miss signposts in the dark.
“These walkers did just the right thing in making sure someone was expecting them who could raise an alarm when they didn’t appear.”
Eight team members and two search dogs were involved in the 2½-hour rescue, which ended at 1am.
