A mountain rescue search dog has been praised for being instrumental in a New Year’s Day mission on England’s highest peak.

 Keswick Mountain Rescue Team (KMRT) had their second callout of the year on January 1, 2023, as a walker ascending Scafell Pike with another person and their dog suffered a panic attack.

They said if it wasn’t for the KMRT search dog Isla, it is doubtful the couple would have been found.

A spokesperson from KMRT described the mission: “A couple made an early start from Seathwaite to climb Scafell Pike with their dog.

“They made the top in good time and descended but got a bit confused and somehow ended up in Wasdale.

“They corrected their mistake by climbing back out but again got a bit lost not far from Sty Head Pass.

“One of the party suffered a panic attack on the steep ground so, despite being well equipped with clothing and head torches, they thought it best to get help by calling 999 and asking for mountain rescue.

“By wandering around they found a mobile signal to call in and give an approximate location.

“Unfortunately, the team could not contact them again to get a phone find fix on their location.

“A small team went out with a team search dog to try to locate the missing couple.

“The team searched the area on the Borrowdale side of Sty Head Tarn with no luck so proceeded to the stretcher box on Sty Head Pass from where a plan was being formulated to split up and search different paths.

“Suddenly, search dog Isla bolted off away and down a steep gully away from the main paths.

“We gave chase only to find Isla barking as she had successfully located the couple, an excellent and impressive find.

“It is doubtful if we alone without Isla would have found the couple as they were hidden in a steep-sided gully away from the paths.

“The couple were then walked back to Seathwaite.”

Lake District Mountain Rescue Searchdogs, which trains dogs for search and rescue missions, published a statement: “Our first call out of 2023 came in the very early hours of New Years Day.

“Keswick were tasked to someone having a panic attack after descending Scafell pike towards Sty Head stretcher box.

“When the team approached the area of the reported person no one was found.

“At this point, search dog Isla spontaneously headed downhill into a gully and alerted her handler, Martin Bell, that she had found someone.

“The team followed and successfully evacuated the casualty from the hill.

“A fantastic find by Isla in horrendous conditions.”

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