Stranded Easter Ross youth group leaders from The Place in Alness hail resilience of kids and 'amazing' bus driver as Storm Babet halts progress on A9
LEADERS of an Easter Ross youth group stranded on the A9 due to a landslide have praised their "amazing" bus drivers for rising to the occasion.
A group from The Place youth group in Alness is returning from a trip to the Alton Towers theme park resort in Staffordshire.
As reported earlier, the A9 was closed in both directions at Dunkeld as a result of the adverse weather in connection with Storm Babet.
The Place has been providing regular updates to parents and carers about the situation wich is affecting thousands of other people using the main trunk road linking the Highlands with the central belt.
An update in the early hours of Friday morning said: "We are unable to travel any further as there has been a landslide at Dunkeld.
WATCH: Storm Babet hits Ullapool Harbour
"For the safety of our young people, staff and coach drivers, we have decided to return to Broxden services in Perth to wait for news of the road being cleared and reopened.
"Our young people are coping so well, fingers crossed we get home soon."
Around 50 children are understood to be on the trip.
The group said: "We appreciate as parents/carers, you will all be very worried and concerned about your children.
"Please know that we are doing everything we can to keep them warm, fed and safe. Right now that means sitting inside the bus, looking for routes and waiting for updates on the road reopening."
One leader added: "I just want to thank the amazing bus drivers from D&E Coaches who have made every effort to ensure everyone is safe. Also to thank the youth workers Anna, Shar, Nat, Keira, Sophie and Owen who have made sure all youngsters are warm, comfortable and fed. "Obviously everyone is very tired but the young people have been amazing and no one has complained. Toiletries have been purchased for everyone to freshen up and they are just heading to get breakfast.
"Thank you to all parents for being so understanding."
A number of parents and carers have shared their thanks to youth workers for the regular updates.
One posted: "Thank you all for all the updates and the phone calls you have all been amazing keeping everyone safe and the bus driver."
