On Thursday 14th June at approx 21.15 the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team was requested to assist in the location of a group of five teenagers taking part in their Duke of Edinburgh Training who were reported missing in deteriorating weather conditions in the Western Mournes.

The team responded and carried out an initial search in the Castle Bog area of Pierce’s Castle. The party was later located taking shelter beside Batt’s Wall in the remote Castle Bog, below Shanlieve.

All members of the DoE group were treated for mild hypothermia and evacuated to safety on foot to the nearby Mountain Rescue Land Rovers. The relieved group was then transported back to a waiting minibus at Leitrim Lodge, where they were reunited with their leaders and taken to accommodation in Newcastle where they were able to dry off and enjoy a good nights sleep.

The team was stood down at 00:45 hours.

The Mourne MRT is a voluntary 999 Emergency Rescue Organisation and relies predominately (predominantly as in predominant) on the support of the general public. Please support them (the team) by donating online via HYPERLINK "http://www.justgiving.com/mournemrt"www.justgiving.com/mournemrtor by texting MMRT10 £2 / £5 or £10 to 70070.