wowpow
April 14th, 2006, 07:20
A group of British schoolboys in have saved nine Thai students from near death when they rescued the visitors in a sudden snowstorm near Kent, on the east coast of England last week.
The BBC reports this evening that the sixth formers from a Kent school have been commended for helping to save the lives of the Thais, who were found stranded, in T-shirts and sneakers, when a blizzard hit the Lake District. The boys, from Tonbridge School, were on a practice hike for their Duke of Edinburgh's gold award. The BBC said the boys rescued the Thais, took them in, and gave them tents, food and warm clothing. The Thai tourists were youth hostelling last week and were walking from Langdale to Borrowdale when heavy sleet and strong winds set in.
Award spokeswoman Shona Taylor said when the Tonbridge boys found them, they were shivering and helpless. Two were suffering from hypothermia - one of them unconscious. The gold award boys, who were with two teachers from the privately-run boarding school, put up tents, gave the students sleeping bags and heated up drinks and food, according to the BBC report. "At those temperatures minutes count and their actions undoubtedly helped to save lives," said the spokesman.
Eventually seven of the Thai group were able to be taken to safety. The students, who had hypothermia, were looked after by the two teachers until they were rescued by Langdale Ambleside mountain volunteers and RAF helicopter. "The actions of the award participants and their teachers are to be commended," said Mr Westgarth. "I am extremely proud that award participants should have put their training into action in such an effective way." "Their quick thinking helped avert what could have been a terrible tragedy," said award boss Peter Westgarth. "Without their decisive intervention the situation of the students would have been dire."
Bangkok Post
The BBC reports this evening that the sixth formers from a Kent school have been commended for helping to save the lives of the Thais, who were found stranded, in T-shirts and sneakers, when a blizzard hit the Lake District. The boys, from Tonbridge School, were on a practice hike for their Duke of Edinburgh's gold award. The BBC said the boys rescued the Thais, took them in, and gave them tents, food and warm clothing. The Thai tourists were youth hostelling last week and were walking from Langdale to Borrowdale when heavy sleet and strong winds set in.
Award spokeswoman Shona Taylor said when the Tonbridge boys found them, they were shivering and helpless. Two were suffering from hypothermia - one of them unconscious. The gold award boys, who were with two teachers from the privately-run boarding school, put up tents, gave the students sleeping bags and heated up drinks and food, according to the BBC report. "At those temperatures minutes count and their actions undoubtedly helped to save lives," said the spokesman.
Eventually seven of the Thai group were able to be taken to safety. The students, who had hypothermia, were looked after by the two teachers until they were rescued by Langdale Ambleside mountain volunteers and RAF helicopter. "The actions of the award participants and their teachers are to be commended," said Mr Westgarth. "I am extremely proud that award participants should have put their training into action in such an effective way." "Their quick thinking helped avert what could have been a terrible tragedy," said award boss Peter Westgarth. "Without their decisive intervention the situation of the students would have been dire."
Bangkok Post