The 49-year-old woman and the man were both airlifted from Shamrock Crag, Scafell, in Cumbria to West Cumberland Hospital.

The woman was named as Clare Wright, 49, from Kings Heath, Birmingham. A spokesman for Cumbria Police said: "Relatives and next of kin have been informed."

The man, believed to be in his 40s, suffered a dislocated shoulder. More than 20 rescuers were involved in the operation.

Julian Carradice, team leader for Wasdale Mountain Rescue, said: "The couple, who were not married, were walking along Lord's Rake and instead of going more horizontal, where you have crags below and above you, they had gone down too early. It is a mistake that has been made before. It is one of those tragic accidents.

"The female had fallen from quite high up at around 500ft -from the summit of Scafell. She had fallen about 200ft. She died of her injuries. The man had fallen a short distance during his climb down to get down to her and he had a shoulder injury."

Mr Carradice said it had been a warm day and visibility had been good.

The man was from the Birmingham area, Mr Carradice said.

Mr Carradice said the mountain rescue team had originally been called out after reports that another woman, aged 59, had leg injuries from a fall on Styhead, another fell.

Cockermouth Mountain Rescue team helped with the injured 59-year-old who was also taken to West Cumberland Hospital.