Bad phone signal hampers Kinder mountain rescue

A mountain rescue team (MRT) has urged hikers to register for the emergency 999 text number after poor phone signal hampered a call out.

A couple walking on Kinder Scout got into difficulty after one of them fell when her foot went into a hole at 2pm on Saturday December 7. 

Although they rang through to Kinder MRT, the signal wasn’t strong enough to give a location. However, they managed to send a text to relatives who relayed the message via the police. 

Twenty-one rescuers scrambled to an area of the plateau between Three Knolls and the Western Edge path in an operation that lasted for four-and-a-half hours. 

“Four hill parties were deployed to assist, Kinder 1 found the couple and completed initial care and treatment,” said a Kinder MRT spokesperson. 

“Due to the casualty's injuries, she required stretchering off back to Edale Cross and the welcoming warmth of Mobile 1 for a trip down to a waiting ambulance, and onward travel to hospital. 

“This call out shows how difficult not having phone signal can be when you need to contact the emergency services. When there is limited signal for a call sometimes a text may go through.” 

To send an emergency text, users must pre-register with Relay UK by texting 'register' to 999 and following the instructions sent to your phone. 

As with all mountain rescue teams in England and Wales, Kinder MRT is run by volunteers and funded by public donations.