Campers locate missing boy in Scafell Pike rescue

Two wild campers who helped in the search of a missing boy have been praised by a mountain rescue team.

The youngster became lost from his family and suffered minor injuries while descending Scafell Pike in misty conditions on Friday evening, sparking a helicopter search.

The campers, called James and Maisie, were in Great Moss, Upper Eskdale, when they heard the shouts of the boy and sent a 999 text message because there was no phone signal.

James said "it was a case of right place, right time", while Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team (WMRT) said it was a "great outcome for what was a very worrying situation".

The boy was reported as separated from his family just after 19:00 BST in the Scafell Massif.

WMRT said he had been missing for two and half hours and there was growing concern for his safety.

James, who was camping with his partner Maisie on the other side of the mountain, said they heard a helicopter fly over.

"We heard then screeches, and we initially thought it was a bird, but then it sounded more human-like.

"Maisie then spotted a blue figure so we packed up a bag of spare food, extra layers, a map and compass and head torches and headed over."

The boy was located on the other side of Scafell Pike on Friday evening

They found the boy and "put two and two together and figured the helicopter was looking for him".

James said Great Moss was "probably about as far away from mobile reception as you can get" and "the phones just wouldn't go through".

"I was lucky enough to go on a first aid course recently which mentioned pre-registering your phone number with 999 which I had done.

"So then I texted the boy's name and the grid reference out".

Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team, search dogs and a Coastguard helicopter from Prestwick were all deployed in the search.

WMRT said the helicopter arrived at the location within 15 minutes of the text being received.

"The walker was then flown to Brackenclose to be reunited with his very relieved and grateful family," WMRT said.

"A great outcome for what was a very worrying situation."