The report in the Journal quoted Mark Silmon of North of Tyne Search and Rescue:
"They were not appropriately kitted for the weather, hence that’s how they got into difficulties.... They were ill equipped and hadn’t informed anybody of where they were going or have the means to tell who had started and finished."
"We knew the weather was going to be heavy rain, but most of us are experienced walkers. It was sleet and hail, but off the top it wasn’t so bad." Loads of balls. For one thing if they were experienced walkers they wouldn't be ill equipped/wearing the wrong clothing, and this is in August!
Why would someone fabricate such a story? Hasn't the sad git got anything better to do? Obviously not. Must be an ex News of the World journalist. Where's the story of the bus which was found on the moon, and the photos of the Loch Ness Monster and all that BS?
It probably isn't a fabrication... a little searching turns up this rather terse report which presumably refers to the same event, albeit in a rather less dramatic or condemnatory fashion. The only other report on the issue seems to be by the OP, published in several different places and referenced by several more.
76 idiots rescued from hills sounds like the sort of thing which might be mentioned in national news. 3 unfortunates rescued isn't quite so exciting.
