Warning after mountain rescue teams scrambled to help walkers lost in darkness in Northumberland
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The walkers had become lost near Blackseat Hill above the Harthope Valley as darkness on Saturday, September 5.
They dialled 999 and Northumbria Police and Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue and North of Tyne Mountain Rescue were alerted.The duty controller acting on behalf of both teams liaised with police and spoke to the walkers before their mobile phone lost reception.
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Hide AdLocal Mountain Rescue Team members and two 4x4 vehicles were deployed alongside police resources to the Harthope Valley.
The duty controller advised the pair to continue downhill along the New Burn and as they approached the valley they were met by one of the team members.
After checking on their welfare, they were handed over to police who then drove them down the valley to their vehicle.The incident involved five Team members for a total of two hours and 20 minutes. A further 14 members were on standby.
A Mountain Rescue spokesman said: “The two walkers were tired and somewhat embarrassed by the situation realising that had they carried torches, the incident could have been avoided. Importantly at the end of the day everyone was safe and the walkers have learnt a valuable lesson.
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Hide Ad“The Team would like to remind anyone heading out into the hills to be adventure smart, ensuring that you have a map and compass and know how to use them, your mobile is fully charged at the start of the day, and have a torch and spare batteries.”