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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Kelly-Ann Mills

Man gets lost for 22 HOURS after aimlessly following phone's Google Maps

Mountain rescue experts have warned hikers to not use Google Maps as their only guide after a lone walker was lost for 22 hours after following directions on his phone.

The man reported himself lost in the Lake District on Monday after struggling to get a good signal for the map on his phone to work.

The day-long search involved nine rescue teams, five search dogs and two drones all searching for the hiker.

He was eventually located on the east bank of Piers Gill where it was discovered he was hypothermic and had knee, leg and foot injuries.

Rescue workers treated the man at the scene before he was stretchered off the hill and taken to hospital.

The Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team was originally told by Cumbria Police he was in a ridge between Scafell Pike and Great End but when works got to the ridge, he wasn't there.

The rescuers advised people to take a real map while out hiking (Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team / S)

They were also unable to contact him at this point, due to his phone batter dying but luckily found the walker as the team were making their way off the hill.

A WMRT spokesman said: "We rarely comment on a rescue, but in this case, we would like to say he was very, very fortunate to survive this ordeal.

"We also have to say that Google maps on smartphones are not suitable for navigating on the hills, they lack detail and of course will not work with a flat battery.

"There is no substitute for a map and compass and being able to use them.

"They can save one's life."

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