Missing pair found in grouse hide

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/cumbria/8590619.stm

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Two missing walkers have been found after a major search operation involving mountain rescue teams from Weardale and Cumbria.

The man and woman set off from Dufton in Cumbria on Friday morning intending to do a circular walk.

But by mid-afternoon they had become disorientated in the mist and contacted Cumbria police by mobile phone.

They were eventually found about five miles (8km) away from Dufton in a grouse hide suffering from hypothermia.

Recognised path

Sixteen volunteers with dogs from the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Team were joined by others from Kirkby Stephen and Penrith.

As part of the operation a local gamekeeper took one team member on a quad bike to search likely areas some distance from the recognised path.

Steve Owers, Teesdale and Weardale spokesman, said: "At around 10:30pm the gamekeeper and team member on the quad bike heard shouts for help and soon after found the missing couple sheltering in a grouse butt near Great Rundale Tarn.

"The female walker in particular was hypothermic and needed to be warmed before she could be moved.

"Without the gamekeeper's assistance and local knowledge it is unlikely we would have found the couple so quickly."