The men went missing while hiking in North Wales and have been identified as Eddie Hill, 20, and Jayden Long, 19, according to multiple reports
Jayden Long/Instagram
NEED TO KNOW
- Two hikers, ages 19 and 20, went missing on Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon, in Wales on Wednesday, Feb 18
- Their disappearance caused a multi-agency search on the Eyri mountain range and the discovery of their bodies on Thursday, Feb. 19
- The men have been identified as Eddie Hill, 20, and Jayden Long, 19, according to multiple reports, citing social media statements from family and friends
A day after going missing while hiking in North Wales, the bodies of two missing men, ages 19 and 20, were found on Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon.
According to a press release from North Wales Police, concerns about the men's welfare on the Eyri mountain range were reported on Wednesday, Feb 18.
This led to a multi-agency effort involving the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team, RAF Mountain Rescue Service, SARDA, and HM Coastguard, which carried out extensive searches until the early hours of Thursday, Feb. 19.
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North Wales Police said in its release, “Tragically, the bodies of the two men were located and recovered as part of these coordinated search efforts.”
While the press release said the two men had been identified and their families have been informed, authorities did not release their names.
However, The Guardian, the BBC, and ITV identified the hikers as Eddie Hill, 20, and Jayden Long, 19, both from Norfolk, citing social media statements from family members and friends.
Hill’s brother Harry described him on social media as a "beautiful big brother" and a "beloved son" who "had such big plans for his future," according to ITV.
"Words cannot describe the pain that me and my family and friends are going through at the moment. He is the most beautiful boy inside and out and he will be missed dearly,” said Hill, per ITV.
Long’s sister, Josie, remembered him as an “amazing, kind and caring big brother” who was “doing something he loved and was taken from us too soon," according to The Guardian.
Jayden Long/Instagram
Jurgen Dissmann, Chair of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, expressed condolences to the victims' loved ones in a statement shared with police's release.
“The team were tasked by North Wales Police and launched an extensive multi-agency operation in full winter conditions,” Dissmann said. “Volunteers searched across challenging mountain terrain in snow and ice, working long hours through the night in difficult weather in an effort to locate the pair as quickly as possible.”
"Despite the determined and sustained commitment of everyone involved, we are deeply saddened that, despite all efforts, the outcome was not what we had hoped for,” he continued.
He concluded by thanking the Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team, RAF Mountain Rescue Team, SARDA and HM Coastguard for their help.
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North Wales Police said in its release that further updates will be provided "when appropriate."
PEOPLE has reached out to the North Wales Police for comment.
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