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Ten Tors expedition is abandoned | Ten Tors expedition is abandoned |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The annual two-day Ten Tors walk across Dartmoor has been abandoned half-way through because of bad weather. | The annual two-day Ten Tors walk across Dartmoor has been abandoned half-way through because of bad weather. |
Hundreds of teenagers will be escorted off the moor from 0600 BST on Sunday by teachers, trainers and volunteers from the armed forces. | Hundreds of teenagers will be escorted off the moor from 0600 BST on Sunday by teachers, trainers and volunteers from the armed forces. |
Those involved include team-mates of a teenage girl who died training for the Army-organised event. | Those involved include team-mates of a teenage girl who died training for the Army-organised event. |
Charlotte Shaw, 14, from Edgehill College, north Devon, died in March after falling into a swollen stream. | Charlotte Shaw, 14, from Edgehill College, north Devon, died in March after falling into a swollen stream. |
Speaking from Okehampton base camp on Saturday night, BBC Spotlight presenter Victoria Graham said the weather forecast for Sunday was for driving rain and low mist. | |
The organisers didn't want any panic so they will be told about the decision in the morning Victoria Graham BBC presenter | |
"They're predicting 50mm and the north of Dartmoor is very very boggy. | |
"The organisers feel that in such conditions it could be very dangerous." | |
The 400 teams of young people on the moor range in age from 14 to 20 and compete on 35, 45 and 55-mile routes. | |
By Saturday afternoon only 21 of the 2,400 youngsters on the two-day challenge had dropped out. | |
Ms Graham and a camera team had for four months been filming a group from Ivybridge Community College. | |
"The competitors are in their tents for the night. The organisers didn't want any panic so they will be told about the decision in the morning. | |
"They're camped at the Tors and near each of them is a team of volunteers from the forces so they're not in any danger." | |
Three boys and eight girls were in the competition from Edgehill, the college attended by Charlotte Shaw. | |
'More determined' | 'More determined' |
Charlotte died when she was swept away when she dropped some of her kit into the Walla Brook and fell in when she leaned over to retrieve it. | |
Edgehill College headmaster Stuart Nicholson said they had been given special permission by the organisers to enter a team larger than the normal six members. | Edgehill College headmaster Stuart Nicholson said they had been given special permission by the organisers to enter a team larger than the normal six members. |
Speaking before the event, he said: "We have worked very closely with all concerned to understand the emotional impact both of participation and of not participating. | |
"As a school, we have made it possible for the group to continue the usual training, with additional support, whilst recognising that at any stage any of them might feel unable to continue. | "As a school, we have made it possible for the group to continue the usual training, with additional support, whilst recognising that at any stage any of them might feel unable to continue. |
"In practice, as the weeks have gone by the group has become more determined that they want to take part. | "In practice, as the weeks have gone by the group has become more determined that they want to take part. |
"We know that Charlotte's spirit of endeavour will be with them all." | "We know that Charlotte's spirit of endeavour will be with them all." |
For the first time, each team was allowed to carry one mobile phone, for emergencies only. |