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Ten Tors expedition is abandoned Ten Tors expedition is abandoned
(about 3 hours 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.
The Army began escorting hundreds of teenagers off the moor at first light after event organisers reacted to the predicted heavy rain.The Army began escorting hundreds of teenagers off the moor at first light after event organisers reacted to the predicted heavy rain.
Among those involved were team-mates of a teenage girl who died training for the event, now in its 47th year.Among those involved were team-mates of a teenage girl who died training for the event, now in its 47th year.
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 400 teams of six young people on the moor range in age from 14 to 20 and compete on 35, 45 and 55-mile routes.
The organisers didn't want any panic so they will be told about the decision in the morning Victoria Graham BBC presenter 'So disappointed'
"They're predicting 50mm and the north of Dartmoor is very very boggy. Two Sea King helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset joined the operation on Sunday morning, taking four teams in each airlift.
"The organisers feel that in such conditions it could be very dangerous." Others were walking off the moor or being taken off by road to Okehampton Camp in Devon. Parents were asked not to pick up their children until midday.
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. The Army said 112 teams had been taken off the moor by 0813 BST on Sunday.
By Saturday afternoon only 21 of the 2,400 youngsters on the two-day challenge had dropped out. Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton joined the airliftOne participant, Rosie, told BBC News: "We have been training for this for so long.
A statement from the organisers said the decision to end the event early was taken at 2130 BST because of "deteriorating weather conditions". "We are so disappointed."
"Our priority is to ensure all the people involved are as safe as possible. The weather forecast indicates that the rivers, which are already at their peak, will become increasingly swollen." A statement from the organisers said the decision to end the event early was taken at 2130 BST on Saturday because of "deteriorating weather conditions".
The decision was also influenced by the high drop-out rate of 15% on Saturday.
All the youngsters are expected to be off the moor by mid afternoon on Sunday.
An Army spokesman said: "Our priority is to ensure all the people involved are as safe as possible. The weather forecast indicates that the rivers, which are already at their peak, will become increasingly swollen."
"All participants will remain where they are currently camped - safe and with shelter and food."All participants will remain where they are currently camped - safe and with shelter and food.
"They will be moved off the Moor in an orderly and controlled manner.""They will be moved off the Moor in an orderly and controlled manner."
Ms Graham and a camera team had for four months been filming a group from Ivybridge Community College. The event was last severely affected by bad weather in 1996 when 2,100 of the 2,400 taking part were evacuated.
"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. Three boys and eight girls from Edgehill, the college attended by Charlotte Shaw, were in this year's event.
"They're camped at the Tors and near each of them is a team 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. Charlotte died when she was swept away after she dropped some of her kit into the Walla Brook. She fell in when she leaned over to retrieve it.
Edgehill College headteacher Stuart Nicholson said they had been given special permission by the organisers to enter a team larger than the normal six members. Edgehill College head teacher 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.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.For the first time each team was allowed to carry one mobile phone, for emergencies only.