A WALKER was airlifted from a Lake District mountain after becoming 'exhausted' after straying from an indistinct path on their way down the peak.

Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team were called to High Stile, Buttermere at 9.45pm on Friday, April 19 after two walkers had became lost while descending the mountain, calling rescue teams for assistance.

One of the walkers was airlifted from the peak by coastguard teams after suffering exhaustion, whilst the other was escorted down the fell by rescue teams.

In a statement on social media, Cockermouth MRT said: "Two walkers had spent the day walking on the Buttermere fells but ended up taking longer than they expected.

"As night fell, they found themselves in very steep technical ground descending the front of High Stile, having strayed slightly from the very indistinct path. As they began to get cold, tired and weak, they called 999 requesting Mountain Rescue assistance.

"The Team quickly located the walkers, finding one exhausted and in the early stages of hypothermia. Given their condition, coupled with a potentially long, treacherous stretcher extraction, the Team Leader enlisted the help of HM Coastguard Helicopter 93 who demonstrated some excellent flying to winch the exhausted casualty from the scene.

"Simultaneously the Team escorted the other casualty on foot back down to the valley where the two individuals were reunited at Gatesgarth Farm."