QLD: Lost scouts reunited with parents

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-1998
QLD: Lost scouts reunited with parents

GOLD COAST, Dec 17 AAP - Three boy scouts lost in Queensland''s Lamington National Park
since Tuesday were reunited with their parents today.

The boys, aged 11, 12 and 14, were "fatigued and hungry" after their ordeal but otherwise
unharmed, CareFlight Gold Coast manager Ashley van de Velde said.

The trio, located last night by an SES search team, were winched out of heavy bushland by
CareFlight helicopter at 12.30pm after finding a suitable clearing.

Problems started for the boys soon after they left with a scout leader and another boy on
Tuesday for a 22km walk from Binna Burra to O'Reilly's Mountain Resort near the Queensland/New
South Wales border.

It is understood they went off the track and became disoriented in the rugged bushland.

The 21-year-old scout leader and a 12-year-old boy became separated from the three and were
found yesterday morning by CareFlight helicopter. They were winched out at noon yesterday.

Mr van de Velde said the scouts had been warned by national park authorities that the walk
would be too much for them.

"They were out there for three days and the kids were frightened out of their wits," Mr van
de Velde said.

"We're just glad it's all over."

AAP ch/sd/it

KEYWORD: SCOUTS NIGHTLEAD

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