The group was rescued near the summit of Sticks Pass near Raise. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Rescuers were called out to aid a large family group that got lost on the Helvellyn range as darkness fell.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was alerted about 9.30pm on Monday by Cumbria police when the group called for help.

The walkers were lost somewhere between Raise and Stybarrow Dodd.

A team spokesperson said: “The group had intended to walk a circular route over the top of Helvellyn but had become lost and disorientated as darkness fell.

“Having begun their walk at 4pm and being poorly equipped with just one torch between them, insufficient warm clothes and unsuitable footwear, some of which actually disintegrated on the walk down, it was decided that they would need to be escorted from the fell by team members.”

The four-hour rescue involved seven volunteers from Patterdale MRT.

The previous day, the team was called out after a man collapsed on the shore of Ullswater.

The rescuers were alerted about 1.40pm to the man, who became unwell after going for a swim at Geordies Crag. He collapsed while walking back to Howtown.

Patterdale MRT used its inflatable rigid rescue boat to reach the scene, where a doctor assessed the man before he was taken to Howtown and a waiting ambulance, which took him to hospital.

The incident lasted four hours and involved 10 team members.