Expedition leaders honoured for South African life-saving rescue

Three cadet expedition leaders have received Certificates of Commendation from the Royal Humane Society for saving a 16-year-old girl after she became ill while trekking in South Africa.

Hayden Duncalf from Kings School (Chester) CCF, Andrew McNamara from Bradford Grammar School CCF (and local ACF), and Richard Breese from Bloxham School CCF (and local ACF) were all awarded certificates.

The trek took place back in July on a mountain in Southern Drakensberg. The 16-year-old girl suffered a severe asthma attack and it took the three-man team more than five hours to carry her to safety.

The girl had attempted to use her inhaler without success and, because of her breathing difficulties, she started to drift in and out of consciousness, the Royal Humane Society said.

Due to poor weather conditions the men were unable to summon help so transported her to the mountain floor, taking it in turns to carry her and monitor her condition.

Andrew Chapman, Secretary of the Royal Humane Society, said: "It must have been an incredibly gruelling, harrowing and seemingly never-ending trip carrying her down the mountain.

"The three of them did an absolutely superb job with the result that she survived the ordeal and was, amazingly, released from hospital the next day.

"They richly deserve the awards."

The Royal Humane Society awards medals, testimonials and certificates for acts of bravery in the saving of human life and for effecting successful resuscitations.