The police in the West report a rescue operation in Øvre Eidfjord. A tour group has had problems on the mountain Ovaldsnuten in Hardanger.
The entourage of 11 people and three dogs were stuck in the terrain about 1200 meters above sea level, the police say. Just after 9 pm, a helicopter was able to retrieve four of them.
They receive warmth and care from health personnel, the police report.
However, the weather conditions made it very challenging to extract the last seven that are stuck. It was not safe to fly back into the area. The helicopter made another attempt at 11 pm, but without success.
It is with great pleasure that we can tell that the last seven have now come to cabins at Krokane together with the Red Cross! It is fired in ovens and everyone is physically unharmed but tired and battered. However, the mood is good. Will be there until daylight, then down to Øvre Eidfjord, West Police District finally writes Twitter at 2.48.
Many involved
Many people have been involved in the action.
– The Operations Center sends a humble thank you to the volunteers, who have participated in a demanding action! Also to HRS and the professionals in the air and on the ground, as well as the patrol from Voss, the police continue to write Twitter.
At 3 o’clock last night, there were still 11 volunteers from the Red Cross and police crews on their way to an emergency tent.
– Estimated three hours walk before they arrive, the police estimate Twitter.
Very chilled
A first Red Cross team arrived at the remaining seven at 11.30pm.
They were then cold, but conscious.
– They are very chilled, and have been out all day. We are talking about people aged from 20 years to 50 years. They have been out collecting sheep, says the operations manager Eivind Hellesund in the West police district to Dagbladet.
Cold and wet
The weather is very bad in the area with strong winds, sleet, snow and low cloud cover. The temperature should be around zero degrees, and the people should be affected by the bad weather. At least two of them must be in poor physical condition.
– We have occasional dialogue on the phone with them. They have nowhere to seek shelter, and have probably been surprised by a change of weather. There are local people who are well known, Hellesund told Dagbladet on Saturday night.
Red Cross on the way
The first helicopter that was sent to the site to pick up the tour group, had to turn around earlier Saturday night, as the weather conditions made it unsafe to enter the area. It was therefore a local helicopter company that finally got in and got the four who have recovered safely out.
Saturday night, two teams from the Red Cross are also on the way, but it was over two hours walk up to those stuck on the mountain. Norwegian rescue dogs are also on their way with a team.
– We’re on our way now. It has been bad weather here all day, says leader of Eidfjord Red Cross, Tore Tveit.
– We know where they are. Those who are on their way are well known and well equipped, section leader for Hordaland Red Cross, Einar Irjan Ananiassen.
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