Two hypothermic walkers rescued from the Brecon Beacons

Last night the HM Coastguard St Athan helicopter and the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team​ were called into action to rescue two hypothermic walkers on Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons.

Just before 9.30pm Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police​ called the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) requesting HM Coastguard air support after receiving a report that two walkers were suffering from hypothermia, after they had been forced to abort their intended route and had to use a longer and less familiar escape route instead. The pair had become very cold and exhausted on their descent and were forced to call for assistance.

 Due to the poor weather conditions the Mountain Rescue stretcher party had been dispatched on foot and the easiest route there turned out to be through the kitchen of one of the Brecon Beacon's most beautiful and remote cottages - Old Crofftau.  The lovely couple that live in the cottage, who were decorating their Christmas tree at the time, went above and beyond to enthusiastically welcome the Mountain Rescue Team's very muddy stretcher party so that they access a short cut to the mountain.  Needless to say the Mountain Rescue Team were first on scene using the Sarloc Rescue mobile phone location app to get a grid location for the casualties.  

 The casualties, despite being well prepared with warm clothing and an emergency shelter, were exhausted and showing signs of hypothermia when the Mountain Rescue Team reached them.  A small break in the low cloud base allowed the HM Coastguard all weather helicopter to quickly race to the scene and winch the casualties on board.

The two walkers were taken to Cardiff Hospital, where we wish them a speedy recovery.  As always, a team effort, even from the local residents, to get this couple to safety!

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