Four ramblers have been hospitalised following a freak thunderstorm that hit three neighbouring Lake District walking areas.

Walkers on Lad Hows, which forms part of the 852-metre Grasmoor peak, Crag Hill and Whiteless Pike were all affected by the adverse weather, which caused the foursome to be airlifted to hospital by helicopter.

Royal Navy Sea King helicopter HMS Gannet was first called into action to help a man who had dislocated his shoulder after falling from Jack’s Rake, Grough reports. It then travelled the short distance across to Las Hows as a 50-year-old man was left unconscious after being flung about 30 feet by a lightning bolt.

Moreover, it was then called to go to Crag Hill to aid a woman who had injured her leg after lightning struck near her, before airlifting a woman whose head was singed by lightning while she was walking on Whiteless Peak.

Despite all being taken for medical treatment, none of the ramblers are believed to have sustained serious injuries.