Three people and an exhausted dog had to be rescued from a Powys hill in very poor weather conditions after one of the walkers suffered an ankle injury.
Mountain rescuers were called out at around 4.40pm on Thursday (January 5) after receiving a report that the group from Hampshire were missing in the Waun Rydd area, near Pen y Fan.
Alfie the cocker spaniel was carried down the hill in a rucksack by a rescuer using heat packs to keep him warm before being treated with oxygen.
Brecon Mountain Rescue Team said: “The group were reasonably well equipped but did not have torches and were on a particularly long route in very poor weather conditions.
![Alfie the cocker spaniel being carried in heated rucksack down a hill by a Brecon Mountain Rescue Team member [January 5 2023]. Picture by Brecon Mountain Rescue Team.](https://news.google.com/resources/images/16330063/)
Alfie the cocker spaniel being carried in heated rucksack down a hill by a Brecon Mountain Rescue Team member [January 5 2023]. Picture by Brecon Mountain Rescue Team.
![Alfie the cocker spaniel with a Brecon Mountain Rescue Team member [January 5 2023]. Picture by Brecon Mountain Rescue Team.](https://news.google.com/resources/images/16330064/)
Alfie the cocker spaniel with a Brecon Mountain Rescue Team member [January 5 2023]. Picture by Brecon Mountain Rescue Team.
“The team located the party, walked them off the hill and carried Alfie down in a rucksack, using heat packs to keep him comfortable.
“Alfie was warmed up, treated with oxygen (in line with veterinary advice) and given some Forthglade Natural Pet Food, after which the group started their journey home to Hampshire.
“We wish them a safe journey home.”
Brecon Mountain Rescue Team (BMRT) continues its fundraising efforts as they have to raise £55,000 themselves, every year, for their day-to-day operating costs as they receive no government or external funding and operate entirely on a voluntary basis. It costs around £400 every time the team is called out.
In November last year, BMRT announced its £1.1m fundraising target to build new headquarters on the outskirts of Brecon had been achieved and the project can now go ahead.
“Although the £1.1m total project cost includes a contingency, the current economic crisis which has seen costs rise dramatically, means that the team want to boost funds further in order to create a comfortable cushion for the project,” BMRT added.
“The dedicated team of volunteers provide an emergency rescue service 24-hours a day, 365 days-a-year – saving the lives of those most in need, throughout mid Wales. The growing demand for their help means they are in urgent need of a new base.”
