YOUNG backpackers are safe and well after being airlifted from Peru mudslides last week.
Christian Widdowson, Nick Blyth and Huw Carter, who are all former pupils of Rydal Penrhos, Colwyn Bay, had taken a gap year to travel the world. The 19-year-olds set off from Wales last month. They had stopped at Peru’s top tourist destination, Machu Picchu to complete the Inca Trail.
The group of three completed a guided tour of the trail, but only became aware of the severity of extreme rainfall when they became stranded near a railway station.
Concerns grew for Huw, who is diabetic, when the youngsters released they were short of food and there were no cash in any of the machines.
Caroline Widdowson, the mother of Christian from Rhos-on-Sea, said: “They were advised that they had to get out. They had had a fantastic time, but they said the astrosphere just changed. Huw has type one diabetes and he needed insulin.”
Authorities sent helicopters to the scene, where thousands of tourists had been left stranded. The young travellers were given the chance to see a doctor and were passed through security onto a rescue helicopter. They arrived at Cuzco, where Huw was given a supply of insulin. They were then urged to leave the area to make way for other tourists.
More than 20 people have died in the devastating mudslides including a tour guide. Homes have been destroyed, leaving families devastated and many people are missing. According to reports the area has experienced the worst rainfall in 15 years.
Mrs Widdowson, who received e-mails from her son and has kept in contact with the mothers of the two other teenagers, said: “They said there was a big police presence. It was worrying, because there have been fatalities. I don’t think that they ever felt that they were in any real danger, but they were lucky.”
The Cuzco region has been hit badly by the flooding and last week the river side village of Lucre was washed away.
Mrs Widdowson said: “They are very keen to carry on travelling, they saved up to go after they finished school. We are just glad they are safe.”