Rescued Scafell Pike hikers urged to pay hotel bill and return head torches

"A mountain rescue team has appealed for two rescued walkers to pay a hotel bill they owe, return head torches they took and collect a hospital crutch one of them used to climb Scafell Pike in treacherous conditions. We avoid judging those we rescue, said Wasdale mountain rescue team in a statement. But we struggle to understand when the rescued take advantage of hospitality provided by our supporters in the valley."

"The team said the bar manager of the Wasdale Head Inn had offered to stay up late to provide the men with snacks and let them stay in a room with a 35% discount. More than three weeks later, the bill remained unpaid, the rescuers said. Sadly there has been no payment to the hotel of the 130 outstanding room cost or thank you to Steve [the bar manager], said the rescue team. Neither did the telephone number given to Steve work."

A seven-hour rescue overnight on 29-30 December recovered two young male walkers located high on Scafell Pike in treacherous winter conditions. The pair were transported wet and hungry to the valley bottom in the early hours. The bar manager of the Wasdale Head Inn offered snacks and a room with a 35% discount, but the £130 room bill remained unpaid more than three weeks later and the hotel's contact number did not work. Two head torches lent to the walkers were not returned and a hospital crutch used by one walker was left in the rescue vehicle. The walkers initially agreed to pay, claiming their money was in a tent near Green Gable, and later requested further discount, breakfast, and transport.

Read at www.theguardian.com