Walkers warned over mobile phones

Mobile signals in the Cumbrian fells are erratic, say rescue teams

Lake District walkers are being urged not to rely on their mobile phones after a man was rescued from the fells.

Emergency services were alerted by a 999 call but, because of poor reception in the area, mountain rescuers could not establish the man's location.

After teams spent about an hour trying to triangulate his position, the caller managed to get a signal, and the man was located at Sharp Edge, Blencathra.

He was airlifted to hospital with a groin injury.

A spokesman for Keswick Mountain Rescue said that interference from the steep terrain and a scarcity of phone masts meant that signals were erratic.

He urged walkers to prepare adequately and not to rely on their mobile phones.