EIGHT children who were injured after their Army cadet group got into difficulties in the Mourne Mountains have now been discharged from hospital.
A major incident was declared at 11:13 on Wednesday morning after the 73-strong Cleveland Army Cadets Force encountered extreme weather during a training exercise.
A rescue operation involving the ambulance service, police, coastguard and Mourne Mountain rescue team was quickly launched.
Newcastle, Bangor and Kilkeel Coastguard Rescue teams, and the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopters based at Caernarfon and Prestwick, were all dispatched to the scene.
The Irish Coastguard's 116 helicopter from Dublin also attended.
Children as young as 12 were among those rescued, while 17 had to be stretchered down from the mountain.
In all, five children suffered ankle injuries, while 16 were treated for exposure and hypothermia.
The cadets – all aged between 12 and 17 – are now back in their summer camp at Ballykinler Army base, near the mountain range where they were rescued yesterday.
On their Facebook page, the Cleveland Army Cadets Force confirmed: "All cadets now back on camp and bedded down."
They added: “All are fed and warm, ready for a good night's sleep and looking forward to tomorrow's activities.”
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