Helicopter resuce drama for hill walkers

A HELICOPTER had to rescue five hill walkers from the Cheviot Hills after they became trapped by floodwaters.

The Borders Search and Rescue Unit was called out at 7.30pm on Saturday to the incident in the Bowmont Valley above Yetholm in the Borders where the group - all from Edinburgh and East Lothian - were trapped by "massive flooding".

Two of the group had heart conditions and had run out of medication.

They were staying in the Auchope Bothy when they ran into difficulties.

Members of the Border Search and Rescue Unit struggled across the hills to reach them and a Royal Navy rescue helicopter from HMS Gannet at Prestwick attended despite difficult flying conditions.

The helicopter helped to take the walkers to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.

A spokesman for the Border Search and Rescue Unit said: "Working closely with the helicopter all five were safely evacuated to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary - conditions would not allow the helicopter to fly to the Borders General Hospital at Melrose."

The rescue team then faced the "difficult task" of getting back to safety themselves.

They eventually made it back to Kelso at 3am on Sunday.