A FORMER vicar has made an emotional return to the scene of a tragedy he survived near High Cup Nick 50 years ago.
The deaths of two people during treacherous weather in the upper dale in 1968 directly led to the formation of what is now Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team.
Revd Vincent Ashwin, a former vicar of St John’s Church, in Shildon, was one of a group of 22 young people who attempted to walk from Dufton to Landgon Beck in March that year.
This year he and rescue team leader Steve Owers returned to the scene at Maize Beck, where the events that led to the deaths unfolded.
Mr Owers said: “He said a prayer and built a cairn of 50 stones in the river.”
He explained that the disaster in March 1968 began when the group tried to make a chain to cross Maize Beck which was in spate.
Four of the group were washed away in the torrent, and while three were able to reach the bank, 23-year-old Kenneth Brown was caught up and the torrent and taken further downstream.
His body was discovered below High Force the following day.
Mr Owers said the rest of the group tried to make their way back to a farm they had passed earlier.
One of the group, 18-year-old David Vaughan, became so ill that he had to be carried three other young men.
He died during the night.
Mr Owers said: “As a result of this incident a meeting was held at the High Force Hotel in June 1968 and the
Upper Teesdale and Weardale Fell Rescue Association was founded in September 1968, the forerunner of Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team.
“Since that time the team has attended hundreds of incidents and undoubtedly saved many lives.
The team currently has 40 members, all volunteers working from bases in Barnard Castle and Durham.”
