TWO people have tragically died in separate incidents occurring on the Lake District fells this month.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team have responded to 12 incidents on Scafell and Scafell Pike in the first nine days of October.

Five of these occurred on a single day, all within four hours of each other. The incidents included two trauma, one medical emergency with the remaining nine being searches for lost and missing walkers.

All of the rescues have been on Scafell and Scafell Pike, two of the highest mountains in England.

Tragically two of these incidents were fatalities.

Team spokesman Richard Warren said: "The team’s hearts go out to the families and friends of the two walkers involved."

He also issued a warning to walkers to prepare for changing weather conditions.

He said: "We are now approaching winter when the weather conditions change dramatically and those wishing to venture on the fells need to be well prepared, especially as the hours of daylight are reducing and temperatures falling."