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On Saturday night, a group of 11 people and three dogs were trapped in mountainous terrain some 1,200 meters above sea level in Hardanger.
The weather was very bad in the area with strong winds, sleet, snow and low cloud cover. The temperature was hovering around zero degrees and the group of tourists, who had gone out hunting sheep, was strongly affected by bad weather.
– They are very cold and have nowhere to seek shelter, said Operations Manager E claim Hellesund in the West Police District to Dagbladet on Saturday night.
Shortly after 9 p.m., a helicopter picked up four of the people, but due to the weather conditions it was not safe to fly again. Thus, seven of them remained in the mountains.
Therefore, several volunteers were sent to help. One of those who participated in the rescue operation is Endre Lægreid (52) of the Red Cross. When Dagbladet calls on Sunday night, he is still at 1,200 meters, with several hundred sheep that yesterday’s tour group should have collected.
Now he talks about the rescue operation that may have saved the lives of the sheep anchors.
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– I was worried
– It was dark, gale and 6 inches of fresh snow. We have locally considered the most dangerous of the mountains for some time, Lægreid tells Dagbladet.
Under the auspices of the Red Cross, several pools were dispatched made up of local volunteers and organization staff, all well known in the area. Team one, of which Lægreid was a part, consisted of seven people.
– Of course we were worried. It was a situation that had the potential to have a completely different outcome than it did.
When they started walking, Lægreid’s memory is not fresh, but he emphasizes that several hours passed. At 11:39 p.m., the rescue team arrived at the weather-resistant tour group.
– They were very cold and completely exhausted. We brought food and drink, warm clothing and mountain tablecloths to raise your body temperature while we waited for the helicopter to arrive. But the weather was still a challenge, and we finally realized we had no choice: we had to get them moving.
Travel companion found cabin: – Very cold
Seeking refuge in a cabin
The rescue team decided to transport the entourage to a stable three kilometers away. There they could seek shelter in a cabin in anticipation of better weather and daylight.
– They were completely drained of energy, so the trip was not fast. We spent twice what the trip would normally take, but they managed to go on their own machine, says Lærgreid.
– When we got to the cabin and everyone understood that the danger had passed, the mood in the group increased. We start in the ovens and cook hot food, he says and estimates that they arrived at the cabin at 03 hour.
On Sunday morning, the sheep’s anchors were transported to Øvre Eidfjord by helicopter. They were all tired and exhausted, but physically unharmed.
– An important job
Many people participated in the successful operation that took place on Sunday night.
– It is in such situations that one realizes the important work that the Red Cross crew really does, Lægreid tells Dagbladet. He also praises the locals for the great effort.
The police also thank everyone who helped guard the anchors from the sheep.
– The Operations Center sends a humble thank you to the volunteers, who have participated in a demanding action! Also to HRS and professionals in the air and on the ground, as well as the Voss patrol, police wrote in a post on Twitter last night.
