Peak District couple 'saved by selfie' at Winnats Pass Published duration 30 May 2016

image copyright Edale Mountain Rescue Team image caption The couple were not on a designated footpath when they became stuck on a ledge near the top of Winnats Pass

A couple who became stuck on a cliffside ledge high in the Peak District were rescued by the emergency services after sending them a selfie.

The couple - believed to be in their 20s - had scrambled up a steep bank and got stuck near the top of Winnats Pass, Derbyshire.

They were saved on Sunday shortly after sending rescue staff a selfie they had taken earlier on that day.

Edale Mountain Rescue believe it was their first-ever "selfie rescue".

Winnats Pass is described as "a steep-sided valley, three-quarters of a mile long with lots of caves".

'Unusual job'

Duty leader and medical officer Steve Rowe said six members of the team went onto the hill with safety equipment to rescue the uninjured pair.

"They had described the location very well, and then one said: 'I've got an idea, I'll send you a picture as well', saying they were in a shadow cave in the background of the picture," he said.

"They had also sent a Whatsapp message with the location so that allowed us to get straight to where we needed to be."

Mr Rowe said a system exists to allow staff to text a missing person and they could then click on a link which gives their location.

But he said this was the first "selfie rescue" he had come across in 15 years.

"It was an unusual job because of the couple's ingenuity at thinking their way out of the situation," he said.