Holme Fell and Yew Tree Tarn. Photo: Andy Stephenson CC-BY-SA-2.0

Two walkers had to be brought to safety from a Lake District fell last night after getting lost in the dark.

The incident brought a further warning to walkers from the mountain rescue team to take a torch when venturing on to the hills.

The pair became benighted on Holme Fell, north-east of Coniston yesterday evening. It was the third incident in a week where walkers had been caught out by encroaching darkness on the Lake District fells.

Coniston Mountain Rescue Team was alerted at 7.40pm on Thursday and 12 members mounted a search for the walkers on the fell, near Yew Tree Tarn.

Jeff Carroll of Coniston MRT said: “The team located the pair, who were unhurt, on difficult terrain and assisted them off the fell.

“The team would like to remind walkers that as the nights are drawing in, it is important to remember to take a suitable torch and other appropriate equipment when venturing out.”

The same evening, 26 members of the Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team were involved in a search in two Lakeland valleys for a lost walker, who was eventually found in Ennerdale. And on Monday Patterdale MRT rescued a walker in near freezing conditions who had become benighted on the Knott.