Rescuers at the scene on the Cheviots. Photo: NNPMRT

Two walkers who got lost on hills near the England-Scotland border were rescued in an operation lasting almost four hours.

The pair, in their 20s, were out walking in the Cheviots when they became disoriented and lost when hill fog came in late on Wednesday afternoon.

Iain Nixon, team leader for Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team, said: “They absolutely did the right thing by dialling 999 and asking for the police then mountain rescue.

“The pair were unable to relocate their position in poor visibility and faced the real prospect of being benighted. With the windchill at -8C and light fading, their best option was to call for help.”

Volunteers from Northumberland Mountain Park Rescue Team and North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team were placed on standby while a hasty team of local volunteers made their way onto the hill to try and locate the pair.

Karl Wait, a local mountain rescue member from Wooler, said: “Conditions were poor as we set off and it was bitterly cold.

“We roughly knew their location using What3words and our PhoneFind system, but it still took some time to get to them. By the time we’d arrived, they were wet and cold but very glad to see us.”

The pair were assessed by a team medic, given some warmer clothing and escorted off the hill, back to the valley floor where a police 4×4 was able to transport them back to their car.

“As we’ve previously mentioned on social media, we are expecting a surge in walkers, climbers and mountain bikers to our national park this Easter,” Keith Briggs, team leader of the North of Tyne Mountain team said. “All we ask is that people follow the Adventure Smart guidance and consider three key elements before taking part in any outdoor activities: check the weather; have the right equipment; and have the right skills for your level of activity.” https://www.adventuresmart.uk/

Seven team members were involved in the incident for 3 hours 50 minutes, with another 23 placed on standby.