Ben Lomond. Photo: Stu Smith CC-BY-ND-2.0
A romantic evening’s walk on the top of Scotland’s most southerly munro had a dramatic ending.
Ryan Miller and Rachel Czurlanis had walked to the top of the mountain so the 23-year-old could make a sunset marriage proposal to his American girlfriend.
The couple were accompanied by two other men on the trip up Ben Lomond, but Mr Miller became exhausted on the descent and mountain rescuers had to go to the aid of the party.
Police contacted Lomond Mountain Rescue Team after the romantic group made a 999 call about 15 minutes past midnight from the 974m (3,196ft) hill on Thursday.
A spokesperson for the team said: “Whilst it was subsequently difficult to contact the group, in the initial call to the police they managed to give their location in terms of latitude and longitude.
“Once translated into OS mapping this gave a grid reference placing them along the summit ridge, approximately 500m from the summit trig point.
“This location guided the initial response from the team: a hasty party, carrying shelter, warm clothing and most importantly food and water, was despatched up the tourist path.
“The first member of this group reached the casualty in a very creditable time of 1½ hours with the others arriving shortly after. Meanwhile, a second group of rescuers ready with equipment necessary to carry-off the casualty was deployed on the hill.”
The ill man was rested and given food and drink and the walkers were able to walk down with rescuers off the mountain, reaching Rowardennan on the shore of Loch Lomond at 5am.
The drama had a happy ending when Ms Czurlanis, 24, said yes to the proposal and the tired walkers then made their way home.
Ellie
18 July 2011but did she say yes??????????????/
John Doe
19 July 2011I hope she didn't say 'yes'... the ill prepared numpty!
Schadenfreude
19 July 2011It would have been funny if she'd said "yes" on the summit, but changed her mind after all the fuss on the way down!
vikki
20 July 2011you mean lot!
Audrey
20 July 2011OMG what a bunch of under equipped and ill prepared people. Our rescuers have to put their own lives in danger to rescue this bunch of numpties! For crying out loud, how many times do we have to tell these people to be prepared for all eventualities whilst walking.
I'm sure a sugar burst would have got him going again in a while.
At least they will always remember their engagement I suppose. Could think of better ways of remembering something so special though.
Jon
20 July 2011Audrey, I'm sure the Mountain Rescue were inconvenienced, but "put their own lives in danger" is a bit much isn't it? I would hope members of an MR team are up to a spot of night walking on a Scottish hill.
Audrey
21 July 2011Jon, maybe a slight exaggeration on my part since the weather/conditions were good but all they did was provide some food and water then they managed to walk off. Surely this is a complete waste of man power and would not have happened if they were better equipped. You've got to remember MR are a voluntary service. Also, the fact that two teams were deployed. What would have happened if there was a serious call out and all our volunteers were committed to this carry on?
his mother
23 July 2011audrey please. that was my silly son!!! he is a very good boy he is donating 100 pounds too mountain rescue.
his mother
23 July 2011audrey please. that was my silly son!!! he is a very good boy he is donating 100 pounds to mountain rescue.
carol miller
23 July 2011my boy, is a bit silly, but his intentions or true.what can i say.