The swollen Lingmell Gill at Brown Tonge

A group of walkers was rescued after being cut off by raging waters on England’s highest mountain.

Members of Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team had to wade up to their waists through Lingmell Gill to bring the four to safety after they got stranded while descending from Scafell Pike.

The team was called at 3.40pm yesterday to rescue the stranded party on Brown Tongue, above Wasdale Head. A spokesperson for the team said: “A group of four walkers visiting the area had climbed Scafell Pike and were descending when they found themselves totally cut off by a raging stream that earlier in the day had been easily crossed with care.

“Now there was no safe crossing point and more rain was forecast that evening which would have made evacuation more treacherous and two of the group had medical conditions.

“Wasdale team kitted up for a specialist, swift-water evacuation of the four walkers using rope systems and personal protective gear.  The walkers, assisted by rescuers and wading up to their waists were safely brought across the stream and walked back down the mountain.”

The operation took four hours. Roads in the valley bottom remained heavily flooded, but passable with care, according to Wasdale MRT.