Walkers needing rescue at night should call 999 and ask for the police

A mountain rescue team has assured the public its members are not afraid to go out in the dark.

The Swaledale team said it will respond to calls from those in need, whatever the time of day.

It follows an incident in which a group had to spend the night on the fells because they were under the impression the volunteer rescuers would not turn out at night.

A spokesperson for the team, which covers the fells and caves of the northern Yorkshire Dales, said: “Recently a group spent the night out on the fell. Everyone was located safe and well by the local gamekeepers.

“We didn’t get called as the group leaders thought we wouldn’t come out in the dark.”

The team emphasised it, like all the UK’s volunteer mountain rescue teams, will respond to calls for help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Except years such as this, of course, when it is on call 366 days.

Anyone needing help should call police on 999 and then ask for mountain rescue when connected to the force’s control room.

Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team’s area includes the valley after which it is named, along with Wensleydale and the surrounding areas. It began operating in 1968 and is one of three teams in the Yorkshire Dales which undertakes both cave and fell rescues. It is based at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire.