Group wearing trainers rescued from Ben Nevis blizzard

Author: Rob WallerPublished 11th Feb 2020

Mountain rescuers who were called out to rescue people in a blizzard on Ben Nevis on Monday night were astonished to find three of them wearing trainers.

They say the group of four didn't have any maps or winter safety gear, such as ice axes and crampoons, and were extremly lucky not to be seriously injured.

They were airlifted from Scotland's highest mountain in wind chill temperatures of minus 20C.

Lochaber Mountain Rescue said 22 members were involved in the search operation which concluded around 7.30pm.

The team said in a statement on Facebook: "Extremely lucky people. No winter kit - no ice axes, no crampons and as far as we are aware no maps. Three of the guys were in trainers!!!!

"They were about 150 metres down into Coire Eoghainn on steep ice and if they had slipped or gone down any further consequences could have far more serious.

"Fantastic effort by the Team members to find them and get them down safely. Thanks to R151 for assistance and some great flying to get casualties lifted from Half Way Lochan.''

The group was taken to Belford Hospital in Fort William where their condition was not known.