Rescuers find 26 teens who went missing on hike in Wales mountains

ABERCRAVE , Wales, June 29 (UPI) -- Rescue teams have found 26 teens who went missing while hiking in the Brecon Beacons mountain range in southern Wales.

The high school-age group, from St Albans, Hertfordshire, became lost close to the lake of Llyn y Fan Fach, near Abercraf.

They were taking part in a Duke of Edinburgh's Award activity, aimed at character-building and self-improvement, when low clouds descended over the peaks.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesman said: "We are pleased to confirm that following the search and rescue operation on the Brecon Beacons this afternoon, all 26 members of the party involved have been accounted for."

Andrew Evans of Western Beacons Mountain Rescue Team said a rescue helicopter located the teens, who were escorted to safety. They were taken to a Ystradgynlais Community Hospital for a precautionary checkup.

"This kind of thing does happen from time to time with groups doing their group Duke of Edinburgh," said Evans.

The youngsters, who were hiking in four separate groups, were not accompanied by adults. Rescuers were able to keep in intermittent phone contact with them before tracing their whereabouts.

At least two were thought to be suffering from hypothermia, but a Welsh Ambulance Serice spokesman said: "None of their injuries are thought to be serious."

The search began Wednesday afternoon, and was hampered by rain and winds.