Scafell, where the walkers were eventually found

Two walkers were found safe and well today after a massive search involving more than 50 rescuers.

The two reported they were lost on Scafell Pike yesterday evening, sparking a 17-hour search for the pair on England’s highest mountain. They were eventually found about midday today on neighbouring Scafell, after spending a night on the fells in foul weather.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team was mobilised after the call at 9.45pm on Sunday and a helicopter from RAF Valley helped in the hunt for them.

Scafell Pike, where the pair believed they were. The col of Mickledore is to the right of the picture

Volunteers from Cockermouth, Duddon and Furness and Keswick Mountain Rescue Teams were joined by handlers from the Search and Rescue Dogs Association (Lakes). 55 rescue team members were involved in the operation, and an RAF helicopter crew successfully found the man and woman after the search was widened to include Scafell.

Richard Warren, chairman of the Wasdale MRT said: “They were found uninjured on Scafell, a different mountain from the one they believed they had climbed.

Richard Warren

“The pair were assisted to walk off the mountain but one of the casualties slipped on the wet grass and sustained a lower leg injury. He was carried down to the valley bottom on a stretcher and treated by the team doctor before making his way home to Lancashire.”

The rescue came just two days after Prince William praised mountain rescue teams during his visit to the Lake District. “These men and women are unsung heroes,” he said. “They are up and down these mountains rescuing people with broken legs every day.”

Scafell Pike, at 978m (3,209ft) England’s highest peak, is separated from Scafell, 14m (46ft) lower, by the col of Mickledore.