HOPES were fading last night for two Scottish soldiers who have been
lost in appalling weather in Glencoe for more than four days.
Lance Corporal Paul Callaghan, 26, from Glasgow, and Private David
Reid, 24, from Stranraer, of the Parachute Regiment, were last seen
alive on Friday morning as they began an off-duty climbing weekend.
A rescue operation, involving 60 searchers and nine dogs, was called
off yesterday afternoon as gale-force winds and wintry storms raged
through the glen. It will begin again at first light today, weather
permitting.
Earlier, an ice axe and two climbing clips, almost certainly used by
the two paratroopers, was found near the bottom of Summit Gully on
3500ft Stob Coire nan Beith.
One theory being considered by the searchers is that the men either
fell, or were hit by an avalanche, and landed at the foot of the gully.
Twenty feet of snow has collected in the area, and it is possible they
have been enveloped by it. The high avalanche risk yesterday prevented a
full examination of the gully base.
Mr Hamish MacInnes, leader of Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team, last night
rated the soldiers' chances of survival as low. He said: ''It doesn't
look too hopeful.''
He described conditions yesterday as extremely bad, and said the
search team had faced a highly dangerous task as fresh snow fell. One
member of the Glencoe team was caught by an avalanche and had to radio
for help from his colleagues.
The mountain rescue team was joined by RAF search parties from
Leuchars and Kinloss, while a Sea King helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth
was on standby.
Both men, whose home addresses have not been disclosed by the police
for security reasons, serve in the 5th Airborne Brigade of the Parachute
Regiment, based at Aldershot.
A spokesman said they were experienced climbers and knew the Glencoe
area well. The regiment's extensive training programme includes climbs
at high altitude in winter.
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