One of the mountain rescue vehicles in the Seathwaite valley during the incident. Photo: Keswick MRT

Rescuers said a walking group that got into difficulties on the Lake District fells was fortunate another group of walkers with an experienced guide came across them and led them to safety.

The guide was leading a group on Saturday when they came across a party of Chinese visitors at the Esk Hause cross shelter in the Central Fells.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team said they were cold and under-equipped for the conditions. One of the group had become separated while they attempted to reach the summit of Scafell Pike as the Cumbrian mountains were swept by Storm Brian’s wind and rain.

A Keswick MRT spokesperson said: “The guide for the walking group immediately raised the alarm, and Wasdale MRT were alerted, but they passed it on to Keswick, realising that it was the other side of the hill.

“The original informant was very supportive and offered to escort the casualties he had down Grains Gill to meet the team.

“Wasdale offered to cover the likely descent route from their side, whilst Keswick team set off to Seathwaite with two vehicles full of personnel, and lots of rewarming kit. A team search dog was mobilised, in case the missing member of the Chinese group did not appear.

“Fortunately, the missing member of the Chinese party was located by the original informant as he brought the others down, so the team simply had to meet up with the descending group, and support the visitors down to Seathwaite.”

The group was offered a lift back to Langdale, where their transport was parked.

The spokesperson said: “They had been extremely fortunate to encounter a well led group, who did exactly what you would want them to do in the event of a mountain incident.”