A group of sixth-form girls from one of the country's leading grammar schools had to be airlifted to safety after becoming lost during a mountain trek at the weekend. Six pupils and a female teacher from King Edward VI Grammar School, in Handsworth, Birmingham, were suffering from mild hypothermia when they were rescued from a hillside in the Brecon Beacons near Ystradgynlais, in South Wales. The girls, aged 16 and 17, became lost in dense fog and hailstorms during a practice Duke of Edinburgh expedition on Saturday. They were one of two groups on a trek in the national park, which has been used by the school for Duke of Edinburgh award training for more than ten years. Confused by the freak weather, they descended into the wrong valley where they found their path blocked by a deep and fast-flowing river and waterfall. Peter Howells, of South Wales Search & Rescue, said the alarm was raised by a teacher who contacted police for help on her mobile phone at 7.30pm. The group was found at 11.40pm. About 28 people were involved in the rescue in bad weather conditions and a helicopter from RAF Chivenor in North Devon was used to pick up the group. Mr Howells said: "They had crossed streams and were wet and cold from the heavy rain and strong winds. They did not require hospital treatment." Elspeth Insch, headteacher of King Edwards, said the girls and teacher had arrived back from the expedition yesterday morning, and were safe and well at their respective homes. She said the teacher accompanying the girls, who were in training for their gold awards, phoned for rescue help after contacting Miss Insch for advice. "The group had set off to traverse the mountains from north to south in good weather in the morning," she said. "However, the mist came down in the early afternoon when the group was on a plateau which made working with a compass bearing very difficult. Hailstorms added to the difficulty, as they all wore glasses. They descended into the wrong valley but wisely stayed put, got into their warm clothes and survival bags and called for help. "It took the mountain rescue team some time to locate the girls but they kept themselves cheerful - fortunately they were all well-equipped and trained. "The rescue team spotted the girls across the river but could not reach them so called in the helicopter and the girls made a V-sign with their torches to lead it to where they were. "The girls were offered hospital treatment but declined and slept as planned in their tents on the campsite. "It has been quite a strain for them, however, they returned back at school a bit tired but in good spirits. "I was not worried at any point simply because it is an area I know, they had adequate protection and were in contact with me by mobile phone. It was just one of those things." | 
