This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-27329458
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Dartmoor Ten Tors challenge: Fifty three evacuated | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
More than 50 youngsters taking part in the Ten Tors challenge have been evacuated from Dartmoor with minor injuries. | |
About 2,400 entrants aged between 14 and 19 are trekking up to 55 miles (89km) across Dartmoor. | |
They set off on Saturday morning and face a night camping on the moor in winds of more than 50mph. | |
Organisers said by 16:00 BST 53 had been evacuated by air and by road, but the number was "not unusually high". | |
The event, in its 54th year, is overseen by the Army in May every year. | The event, in its 54th year, is overseen by the Army in May every year. |
'More demanding' | 'More demanding' |
Spokesman Ronnie Jones said those evacuated had the "usual sprains strains". | |
He said: "The youngsters have been training for this throughout a pretty horrendous winter so they won't be strangers to wind and rain. | |
"It's called a challenge for a reason, it is arduous going." | |
All teams of six were being "monitored closely" by an operations room at Okehampton Camp on Dartmoor where the challenge ends on Sunday. | |
Mr Jones said: "It might be a bit of a howl around their tent poles and its's pretty boggy under foot." | |
Last year the Army announced changes to the route for 2014, which would mean fewer river crossings to reduce the need for air support in poor weather. | |
Brig Piers Hankinson, director of Ten Tors, said: "The location of safety control points has moved closer to road heads rather than on top of the tors, while checkpoints remain on the tors. | |
"I believe these changes will not compromise the original aims of the event - to develop teamwork and practise navigation. | "I believe these changes will not compromise the original aims of the event - to develop teamwork and practise navigation. |
"If anything the challenge will be more demanding, with the experience and appreciation of a high moorland location and the associated weather conditions of a challenging environment." | "If anything the challenge will be more demanding, with the experience and appreciation of a high moorland location and the associated weather conditions of a challenging environment." |
The entrants will trek for 35, 45 or 55 miles, relying on their navigational skills and carrying all their food, water, bedding, tents and other essentials. | |
It is run by more than 900 military personnel, almost all of them reservists. | It is run by more than 900 military personnel, almost all of them reservists. |
The Army has appealed for visitors at the finish to share cars or take public transport amid treacherous conditions for vehicles on the moor. | |
In March 2007, 14-year-old Charlotte Shaw died after falling into a swollen river while training for the Ten Tors. | In March 2007, 14-year-old Charlotte Shaw died after falling into a swollen river while training for the Ten Tors. |
Two months later hundreds of children had to be rescued when the challenge itself was abandoned because of torrential rain. | Two months later hundreds of children had to be rescued when the challenge itself was abandoned because of torrential rain. |