19/08/2004

Work to clear A85 landslides underway

A clear-up project has begun in central Scotland to remove huge landslides that blocked the A85 in Glen Ogle north of Lochearnhead.

Yesterday, following hours of torrential rain in the area, 57 motorists were cut off as a landslip sent thousands of tonnes of mud and loose rock crashing onto the roadway. As the drivers tried to turn their vehicles round they found that a second landslide had cut off the road in both directions.

RAF and Royal Navy helicopters assisted with the rescue operation to airlift the stranded motorists to safety.

The A85 just north of Lochearnhead is expected to remain closed until the roadway has been cleared and any threat of remaining loose debris above the road causing further landslides is fully assessed by engineers.

One emergency response vehicle belonging to BEAR Scotland, the company responsible for maintaining the trunk road network in the region, was swept off the road into a gorge, but no-one was injured as rescuers worked to reach the stranded people.

Many of those rescued were taken to nearby Lochearnhead village, and police have been checking the area throughout the night, but there are not thought to be any casualties and no-one has been reported missing following the incident.

Serious flooding is also reported to have closed a section of the A84 on Thursday.

(SP)

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