Families of North trekkers stranded in Nepal criticise Government efforts to get them out

Clive Wilkinson, originally from Saltburn, East Cleveland, and his wife Heather and Sam Oakes, from Newsham, near Richmond, North Yorkshire and his girlfriend Alexandra Holden, from Wimbledon, are believed to be together in a remote valley.

The four were caught up in the earthquake and avalanches that struck Nepal at the weekend and led to the deaths of thousands of people.

While Mr Wilkinson’s sister, Karen Wilkinson-Bell, also from Saltburn, and Mr Oakes’ mother Nicky, were relieved to receive calls from their loved ones saying they were alive, they believe the Foreign Office has been lacklustre in its response to getting them and the other stranded Britons out of the country, referring them only to a helpline.

STUCK IN NEPAL: Sam Oakes

Speaking tonight Ms Wilkinson-Bell said: “I can only describe it as frustration. Yes it was great to get that news and we are really delighted that Clive and his wife are safe, but they are stranded in a very remote valley.

"When I got an email from the Foreign Office saying ‘would you like to refer your brother to a website on what to do and where to go to a place of safety’ I did lose my rag a little bit and said ‘well he is halfway up a valley north of Kathmandu without much food and water..’

“The frustration is not knowing whether there is a plan to get them out. We know there are huge problems and it’s really difficult on the ground I am sure, but the fact we are not being told anything is the most frustrating thing.”

Mrs Oakes said her son, 22, and his girlfriend, 21, both Durham University geography graduates who had been trekking in the Langtang National Park, had only been able to contact home very briefly.

“That was Saturday and as the days have gone on and it’s become apparent how dreadful things are I have not heard from him at all,” she said. “So I went on the Foreign Office website and there was a number and so I phoned it. Absolutely hopeless.

"It became very clear to me it’s just a call centre – it might have well been selling you something. They are not Foreign Office staff, they are not trained to deal with people who are obviously distraught, angry, frustrated and they are just logging information.”

Mrs Oakes said she had received another phone call yesterday (Tuesday) from her son pleading with her to do something.

“I got a phone call at lunchtime at work. He said ‘just listen’. He told me where they were and then said ‘we are safe but get us out of here, get us a helicopter. We are watching French people being rescued and why is nothing happening for us British? Do what you can mum, do what you can.”

SCENE OF DEVASTATION: Rescuers search through the rubble

Mrs Oakes met up with Ms Wilkinson-Bell this evening to discuss the plight of their loved ones.

“As I left Karen and her husband I said ‘so here we are, we are going home to our houses and it’s getting dark in Nepal and yet another night when I will go to bed and wonder what is it like for my son out there?” she said.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said every effort was being made to help those stranded.

"Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff are continuing to work around the clock with local authorities and tour operators as well as visiting hospitals, hotels, the airport and tourist locations to identify and assist British nationals in Nepal," she said.

"We have helped over 250 British people and stand ready to assist more and their families as necessary.

"At the weekend the volume of calls received was very high and some callers were having to wait to get through. We increased the number of people answering calls and there should no longer be any wait."