Sea King crews from HMS Gannet were involved in both incidents

A major search was launched today for six teenage walkers missing in the Highlands.

The four girls and two boys, aged between 16 and 17, failed to reach their camping base in the Kinlochleven area last night. The group was taking part in a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition.

The alarm was raised this morning and members of the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team began searching in the immediate area. The search was widened to include the upper reaches of Ben Nevis and the Corrour estate. A Royal Navy Sea King helicopter from HMS Gannet, Prestwick, joined the search.

Northern Constabulary confirmed a short time ago that the six had been found safe and well by members of the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team.

Police had said the youngsters were believed to be well equipped. Duke of Edinburgh’s Award teams normally carry tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment and food with them.

• A walker was airlifted from a mountain in the Trossachs on Saturday.

The man is believed to have injured his collar bone when he slipped on Ben Venue. Members of the Trossachs Mountain Rescue Team went to the man’s aid and an air ambulance was used to reach an area near the scene of the accident.

A Royal Navy Sea King helicopter was then called to the 727m (2,385ft) hill north-east of Aberfoyle.

The crew winched the injured walker into their aircraft and he was flown to hospital for treatment.

The rescue was witnessed by Dave Hewitt, a contributor to grough and the Caledonian Mercury. He said: “The chap fell just below the summit. A couple of paramedics from the air ambulance attended to the guy, then the Sea King came in and winched him away. It was very impressive flying – it was breezy and cloudy when they did this.”

The rest of the walking party was uninjured.