Army cadet rescue groups are thanked

Army cadet rescue groups are thanked

13 September 2017

MEMBERS of the emergency services who were involved in the rescue of over 70 army cadets in the Mournes last month have been thanked for their efforts.

Nick Perry, the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Justice and the organisation’s Director of Safer Communities, Anthony Harbinson, were in Newcastle last week to meet representatives from the various agencies.

Members of the PSNI, Ambulance Service, Mourne Mountain Rescue Team, North West Mountain Rescue Team and Newcastle and Kilkeel Coastguard teams were represented at Newcastle police station where they met the government officials.

Mr Perry said he was “delighted” to have the opportunity to meet so many of the groups involved in the rescue of the 73 army cadets and their instructors from the Cleveland Army Cadet Force in Middlesborough who got into trouble on August 2 as rain lashed the mountains and visibility fell to 50 feet.

“The Department of Justice is very supportive of the vital role played by all those involved in search and rescue and values greatly their dedication and courage,” he told the various emergency services representatives.

“It is particularly commendable that so much of this difficult, and often dangerous, work is undertaken by volunteers. The response to the incident in the Mournes has demonstrated the very solid partnerships that have been forged between the voluntary groups and the statutory agencies,” added Mr Perry.

The children, aged between 12 and 17 who were rescued by the emergency services, got into difficulty after going into the Mournes for a one-night camp. 

They had been in Northern Ireland for 10 days, staying at the former Ballykinlar army base, as part of their two-week summer training camp, taking part in adventure training and cultural visits. 

At the time of the incident in the Mournes, which was declared a major incident, the young cadets were accompanied by 10 leaders.

Last week’s visit by Mr Perry comes just a few weeks after the Department of Justice presented the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team with with two new vehicles.

The incident command and first response vehicles — which have been specially designed — have been fitted out to meet the specific needs of the rescue team. Finance for the new vehicles was also provided by the Fundraising for Heroes of The Hills charity which was started by young Annalong man Nat Pierson after the rescue team went to the assistance of his mum Leza.