Walkers rescued after becoming stranded in dark

Three young walkers were rescued after becoming stranded on steep ground as daylight faded in North Yorkshire, emergency services said.

The group got into difficulty in Hackfall Woods, near Grewelthorpe, on Monday, prompting a response from firefighters and Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team.

Bedale Fire Station crews were initially sent to the scene at about 22:00 BST, after the walkers said they were unable to find a route safely back to the path, because of the lack of light.

"It's a very steep and wooded area if you lose the path," a spokesperson for Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team said.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said control room staff used the What3Words app to pinpoint the walkers' location.

Firefighters made verbal contact with the three young people after reaching the bottom of the slope, but specialist assistance was needed to bring them to safety.

Mountain rescue volunteers set up a rope system and recovered the walkers, before escorting them back to their vehicle.

No injuries were sustained during the incident, the fire service said.

A mountain rescue spokesperson described the operation as "another great example of multi-agency working".

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