The groups got into difficulties on the summit of Kinder Scout

More than 60 rescuers and a Coastguard helicopter were involved in an eight-hour operation to help two Duke of Edinburgh’s Award groups in difficulty on the Peak District’s highest hill.

Kinder Mountain Rescue Team was joined by colleagues from the Glossop, Edale and Buxton teams after being called out about 4pm on Wednesday to find two groups from Camberwell in south London who were lost in the middle of the Kinder Scout summit plateau.

Search dog Dolly and a Coastguard search and rescue helicopter also took part in the hunt for one group of students undertaking their gold expedition, who were also reported to be hypothermic.

A Kinder MRT spokesperson said: “Once the casualties were located they were evacuated to Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital by Coastguard helicopter for medical attention. All students were released from hospital later that night.

“At the height of this job, information came to light that another party from the same school was also overdue.”

Edale and Glossop teams were requested to help the 24 volunteers from the Kinder team who were on the hill with Buxton MRT. 65 team members were eventually involved in the operation, and another search dog joined them on Kinder Scout.

The Kinder MRT spokesperson said: “This other party was also located by Kinder team personnel and the all of the teams were stood down just after midnight.”