Colwyn Bay backpackers saved

The three young boys; Christian Widdowson, Nick Blyth and Huw Carter, had taken a gap year to travel the world and where former pupils of Rydal Penrhos Colwyn Bay. 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.

Once they where there they completed a guided tour of the trial but quickly became aware of the extreme rainfall when they were stranded near a railway station.
Huw, who is diabetic became to panic as the youngsters quickly realised they were short of food. There was 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.”
Helicopters were sent to the scene, where thousands of tourists had been left stranded. The three boys were given the chance to see a doctor and were passed through security onto rescue helpicopter. 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.

The area had experienced the worst rainfall in 15 years and more than 20 people died in the devastating mudslides including a tour guide.

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.”

Sourced: North wales Pioneer