A family was rescued after becoming lost while on a hike in the vicinity of Mount St Benedict.

Around 4:40pm on Saturday, a couple and their two young children started a hike along the Northern Range to the popular flag site.

On their way back they became lost and contacted E999.

The TTPS says the Northern Division Operational Centre immediately activated the TTPS Coastal and Air Support Unit and the Fire Service.

It says a search and rescue plan was formulated by Inspector Rampallard and a party of officers from the Air Support Unit, Fire Sub Officer (Ag), John-Baptiste Reid, and a team from the TTFS LSAR1 and Fire Sub Officer (Ag.) Olliverie and a party from the Tunapuna Fire Station and Inspector Beepot.

While piloting the drone over the mountainous terrain, Inspector Rampallard spotted the family in a forested area.

The information was used to pinpoint the exact location of the hikers, who were rescued at 9:18pm by a team consisting of the TTFS Land Search and Rescue Team, a volunteer resident of El Pilar Heights, and volunteer hunters.

The family was examined by TTFS personnel and appeared to be in good physical health.

They were also offered assistance to be taken to the nearest health facility but declined.

Assistance was then provided to the family to retrieve their vehicle and be reunited with the rest of their family.