2026 Callouts
3rd and 4th June
At around 1730, the team were asked to assist the Police with searching for a high-risk male, missing from Derriford Hospital. The team deployed to the heavily wooded area to the south of the hospital to comb the area where it was suspected he might be.
With the light failing, we were stood down for the evening around 10pm with no sightings.
The next day, on the 4th, the team deployed again to the same location to re-evaluate some extremely difficult terrain and potential new locations where the Police suspected he might have gone.
After a whole day’s searching the wooded area and bringing in search dogs, sadly the body of the male in question was discovered in heavy overgrowth.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased.
29th and 30th April
Another unexploded bomb evacuation! We were called out to assist the police at around 2030 with the evacuation of part of Southway due to a massive unexploded WW2 bomb.
After dividing up the teams and required areas for evacuation, we got to work again with our sister search team from Tavistock, the Coastguard and other emergency services late into the night to create a cordon around the bomb site.
We eventually stood down around 3am.
The following day, on the 30th we were tasked to widen the cordon by an extra hundred metres or so. Again we deployed to the area, speaking to residents in the exclusion zone to encourage any remaining to leave, and to gather numbers of those staying.
It was another great result with the bomb eventually being detonated in-situ on the 1st May
28th April
At 15:15 we had a full team callout to the National Trust property, Saltram Park, to assist in looking for a high risk missing male.
On arrival, teams were sent out to search various areas of the park and at 18:15 he was located safe and well within this area.
1st April
At around 4pm, we were called to assist the Ambulance Service with a 13yr male who had fallen down a slope and twisted his ankle on the South West Coast Path, near to Kingsand in Cornwall.
Shortly after arriving on site, the casualty was assisted to the waiting Ambulance and taken for further treatment.
27th March
At 21:38 we were called to find and treat a 16yr old male who was on the Moor, doing Ten Tors training. He had been reported as hypothermic and immobile. Our team deployed near to Ivybridge, and then continued up the Puffing Billy track on foot and with our Landrovers to the expected location.
He was found shortly thereafter and treated for hypothermia and exposure, being handed over to the Ambulance on return to Ivybridge around midnight.
22nd March
The team were called at 09:14 to Harford Moor to a 16 year old girl who had suffered an asthma attack whilst on a D of E gold practice expedition.
Members of our team were quickly on scene, and started assessing the casualty.
Devon Air ambulance and SWAST arrived on scene shortly after, continuing with the assessment. The casualty was taken off the moor via 4x4, back to the road head, for further assessment and subsequent onward transportation.
16th March
A 72yr old lady had fallen into the river near Bere Alston and broken her ankle. Since this was on our sister team of Tavistock’s area, we were asked to assist them with the evacuation and stretcher carry-off to a waiting ambulance.
She was successfully removed from the water and was taken to hospital for further treatment.
7th March
We were called at 15:39 to locate a missing walker in the Lee Moor area, who had been missing overnight. However, soon after being deployed, he was located by the police, all safe and well.
8th February
Not quite a callout, but an incredibly fortuitous set of circumstances for this casualty.
What are the chances of falling directly into the path of a Mountain Rescue Team?!
Team members from DSRT Plymouth were in the Scottish Highlands this week for some winter skills training. A group of 5 were climbing Ben Nevis when they witnessed a lone walker slide and tumble over 150 metres across steep rocky terrain from the zigzag path. The group immediately responded, finding the casualty hidden from view but conscious. He was unable to walk so stretcher extraction was required. Shelter and pain relief were provided by the team, which (fortunately for the casualty) comprised experienced Hill Party Leaders and an Emergency Medicine Consultant from Derriford Hospital.
They contacted Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team who responded with warming equipment and stretcher, and DSRTP team members assisted with the carry-off to the waiting ambulance. Conditions were severe but the team were well equipped, and happened to be in the right place at the right time.
See Lochaber’s video of the rescue here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/25928731333406101
Great result and thank you to Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team for a tour of the base afterwards.
15th January
Our first callout of the year and echoes of the huge Keyham bomb evacation!
Along with our Search and Rescue colleagues from across Devon, all the emergency services, plus Devon and Cornwall 4x4, we attended Exmouth to assist with the evacuation of several thousand homes, as a result of the discovery of a massive WW2 bomb in the harbour.
After arriving at around 6pm, the team was tasked with speaking to residents in the exclusion zone to encourage any remaining to leave, and to gather numbers of those staying.
We stood down at around 3am, with the Army Bomb Disposal team intending to tow the ordnance out to sea and dispose of it later that morning.
2025 Callouts
17th October
At 1am, we were called by Devon and Cornwall Police to assist with searching for a high risk missing person with mental health and addiction issues in Central Park, Plymouth.
While the Police Air Service helicopter also searched, we were deployed to search several areas from the Home Park football ground to the Railway Station and other areas.
At around 4am, the gentleman was located at a residential address close to the park.
8th October
At 2100 hrs, we were called out to the Efford area of Plymouth to assist Devon & Cornwall Police to search for a high risk missing person.
Numerous search teams were allocated various search areas such as the Cemetery and local woodland, whilst our Drone Team were able deploy quickly and search much larger areas for the missing person.
Happily, the male was later located in another area of Plymouth and we were stood down at 23:30 hrs.
25th August
The team was called to Holming Beam to assist one of our sister teams, DSRT Tavistock who had been searching for a missing walker known to have left the Two Bridges area the previous night. to rendezvous with some friends who were already out on the moors.
HM Coastguard were also in attendance, flying over Beardown Tor/Rough Tor areas.
As we prepared to search, the gentleman was located by a member of the public. He had lost his phone and had gotten caught out by adverse weather, so had decided to stay put instead of trying to locate his friends. Our team doctor checked him over and thankfully, aside from being cold and tired, he was able to continue without incident.
2nd August
In the afternoon we were called out to the Dewerstone Rock by the Southwest Ambulance Service, following reports that a climber had fallen badly, and had a head injury and lacerations.
The team deployed with a wheeled stretcher and full rope rescue kit, and gave first aid to the casualty on arrival. Fortunately the casualty was able to walk off the Moors and was escorted to a waiting ambulance.
15th July
Early morning, Devon & Cornwall Police requested our assistance in the Woolwell area of Plymouth, to search for a missing person with post-natal depression. We were joined by our colleagues from Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Tavistock.
Thankfully, the lady was quickly located by members of the public a while later.
3rd July
We were called to Cadover Bridge to assist the Police in locating a tired and disoriented walker from Cadover Woods. Shortly after arriving on scene, the gentleman was located by the Police and we stood down shortly after.
18th June
Our second callout in 2 days took us down to the Fowey area of Cornwall, to assist one of our sister teams, East Cornwall Search & Rescue Team in locating a high-risk missing person, last seen in the evening of the 16th.
Our drone team was perfectly placed to assist, with our drone equipped with a thermal camera scouring the cliff edges and fields around the headland.
Another positive result as the missing gentleman was located on the coast path a few hours later, following which he was airlifted from the scene by a HM Coastguard helicopter.
17th June
Late on Monday 16th, our sister team, Dartmoor Search and Rescue, Ashburton had been called out to assist with locating a vulnerable adult male in the South Brent area. Despite their overnight searches, they were stood down in the early hours of the 17th while further enquiries were made and new leads followed up.
In the morning of the 17th, we were called to help with searching a new area of the Moor, near to Bloody Pool. Thankfully, soon after deploying, we found the missing person and provided first aid and support until the Ambulance was able to attend, courtesy of Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response who were on hand to ferry them from the road up to our position.
We wish the young man in question all the best for his future.
7th June
The ten were called at 11am to attend West Alvington, near Kingsbridge to assist the Police locate a high-risk missing person. However, soon after arriving at the RV point, and about to be deployed, the team were stood down as the gentleman had been located safe and well.
10th May
At 1730 hrs the team was called out to the Dewerstone.
A climber was ascending the window slit route in the western rocks area of the Dewerstone when his foot and knee became wedged and he was unable to free himself. Fortunately he was climbing with a partner who raised the alarm.
The response from the team was even quicker than normal because we were at Princetown setting up for Ten Tors.
The Rope Team was able to swing into action and free the climber who was unharmed and able to walk himself off the hill.
11th Feb
At 10:06 the team received a call from the Police asking for support to continue a search for a missing person with severe dementia, around the Calstock area. This search was ongoing from the early hours of the morning with Tavistock and East Cornwall.
Shortly after members of the team deployed, a body was located in the river, and the team were stood down shortly after this sad news.
5th Feb
At 23:45 on Tuesday night, we were alerted to an ongoing search in North Devon, home of one of our sister teams - North Dartmoor Search and Rescue.
This was a large search for a missing female around the village of Ashreigney. Both North Dartmoor and Exmoor teams had spent the day searching areas around the village, and another of our sister teams, Tavistock SRT were due to search through the night.
We were were requested, along with Ashburton SRT to continue the search the following morning.
Arriving at 0600, our team set off to search open fields around the the village with no joy.
After 5 hours searching, and just as search dogs arrived from MRSDE, a member of the public came into the incident room to stay the she had been found.
Ashburton's team doctor, along with Police were dispatched to the location to assess her condition. Aside from being a bit cold, she was fine. She was then handed over to SWAST for further assessment.
A positive outcome a long way off our usual beaten track!
1st January
A 60yr old male had gone for morning walk on the moor near Shell Top, but as the heavy rain and mist came in, he realised he was lost. Rather than try and attempt to find his way, he made the right decision to call for help.
Devon & Cornwall Police sent a message to the missing person to identify his location. We then sent teams to him to bring him off the hill, who walked down with him to a waiting team Land Rover.
Other than being cold and wet, thankfully he was fine.
2024 Callouts
In 2024 the team dealt with a total of 23 incidents, totalling 117hrs 38m
Incidents had an average duration of 5hrs 6m
17th December
The team were called by Devon & Cornwall Police on behalf of Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Tavistock shortly after 17:40 on the 17th to search for a missing 10 year old at Morwellham Quay.
It was wet, windy and already a dark night, so we had been immediately called alongside Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England teams, Plymouth Coastguard Rescue Team, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, NPAS Helicopter and the RNLI from Plymouth Lifeboat Station.
Around 19:15, one of the DSRT Tavistock search teams heard a noise and located the child who was stuck in some brambles in the woods near the river, about 1km from the place he was last seen.
The child was returned with them to the car park in a DSRT Tavistock Land Rover, and was assessed by a doctor.
A fantastic result for all concerned. Both teams wish the young person a speedy recovery and a Merry Christmas!
15th December
At 21:20 Sunday 15th December, we were called out by Devon and Cornwall police to the Yelverton area, to help look for a high risk missing person.
19 volunteers attended the scene. Teams were briefed by the police, search areas were allocated and the Landrovers were utilised to transport teams to their relevant search areas around Clearbrook and Meavy, up to Burrator Dam.
After 4 hours of searching for the male, we were stood down without finding him. However the police continued to search for him overnight and were rewarded when he was located safe and well the next morning.
11th December
The team were called by Devon & Cornwall Police shortly before 0745 to search for a missing soldier who was overdue from a night exercise.
The team gathered at Gutter Tor Refuge alongside Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Tavistock and dog handlers from Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England while a plan was made for likely search locations. Small teams were tasked to search for the missing soldier and set off in a “bomb burst” pattern towards the last known location, just in the case they had bedded down for the night in the locality.
Before teams could get out on the hill, the team Search Managers had sent a SARLOC (Sarloc Rescue) text to the MISPERs phone. The MISPER eventually replied by following a link in the text which gave the team their GPS location. A Land Rover with a Team Casualty Carer was then tasked to rendezvous with the MISPER a few miles away near to Whiteworks, just outside Princetown.
The NPAS helicopter had located the MISPER from the air just as the team vehicle arrived, so after a quick check over by the team Casualty Carer, the cold but otherwise ok MISPER was handed over to their training instructors for a thorough debriefing. The team stood down at 0949.
29th October
At 17:00 hrs, we were called out to the Hen Tor area of Dartmoor to assist the police in locating two missing walkers.
They had called 999 and told the police that they were lost on the Moors. The police sent a SARLOC text to the phone of the missing person which, if clicked, provides the police the phone's location.
The two lost walkers did the correct thing by staying where they were and using their torch to illuminate their location. As a result, the light was spotted by the team on the opposite side of the valley. The two walkers were found safe and well but simply were lost and unable to find their way back to their car.
The team stood down at approximately 22:00 hrs after reuniting the walkers with their vehicle.
4th October
The team was mobilised in the afternoon to help our sister team from East Cornwall Search and Rescue Team in St. Cleer, Cornwall to search for a high-risk missing woman who was local to the area.
We combed several areas around the village but were unable to locate her, and were stood down later that night.
A few days later, sadly, Devon and Cornwall Police released a statement that the body of a woman had been found in the St. Cleer area.
Our thoughts are with her friends and family at this difficult time.
9th, 10th and 11th July
In support of our colleagues from East Cornwall Search and Rescue Team, we were called to the outskirts of Looe to assist with a search for a high-risk missing male, who was on holiday at one of the caravan parks in the area.
Being tasked by Devon and Cornwall Police, we searched many of the fields and farmland areas around the vicinity of the park.
After three continual days of searching without any success, we were stood down without further search areas required.
3rd July
At 1855 hours, the team were called out by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to help locate two hikers undertaking their Duke of Edinburgh course, believed to be in the Plym Head area on Dartmoor, south of Princetown.
A swift response team, along with Paramedics were dispatched to their location, whilst our Land Rovers took stretchers and other required equipment closer to the scene, via Gutter Tor and along the track towards Plym Ford.
On finding the two hikers, they were found to be suffering from hypothermia and Devon Air Ambulance was requested to assist with an immediate evacuation to hospital. Their remaining team members were assisted back to Nun’s Cross Farm.
It was good to see that the hikers did the correct thing when members of their team were unwell. They stopped, erected tents and called the emergency services.
We wish to thank our colleagues from Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Tavistock, SWAST and Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response for their assistance. It was a good example of how seamlessly different emergency response teams work together.
The teams then made their way back to Peat Cott, and were stood down around midnight.
5th June
The team were called out at 11.00am on Wednesday by Devon & Cornwall Police to search for a missing person near Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.
Search teams were tasked, alongside members from Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Tavistock and a search dog from Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England, to search the wooded and open areas in the nearby nature reserve, while the police helicopter operated overhead.
Very sadly, the team found his body a few hours later at 14:55.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time.
29th March
We were called out by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust at 1300 to help a female in need of assistance on steep tracks near Shaugh Bridge.
She had been assessed by SWAST for medical assistance and required our help to stretcher her back to Shaugh Bridge car park.
We were stood down a couple of hours later, having safely transferred her to the waiting ambulance.
28th March
We were called at 10:30 to assist our sister team Dartmoor Search and Rescue Tavistock with a search for a high-risk missing person in the Brentor/Mary Tavy area.
They had been out since late Wednesday 27th in very difficult conditions such as heavy snowfall, rain, hail compounded by slippery mud and poor visibility.
The treacherous conditions continued with Plymouth’s search of varying areas around Lydford Gorge and Viaduct, and Brentor.
It was determined around 17:30 that the missing person was confirmed to have left the search area, and we were stood down shortly thereafter.
24th March
A busy Sunday for the team with a second callout from Devon & Cornwall Police at 2100 hrs, to look for a High Risk missing person from Beatland Cross, near Lee Moor with our sister team Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Ashburton.
On arrival, we were advised that the missing person had been located safe and well and we were stood down.
24th March
At 1530 hours, along with our colleagues from East Cornwall Search & Rescue Team, we attended Saltash in Cornwall, to assist Devon & Cornwall Police to look for a High Risk missing person.
On arrival at the rendezvous point, three search teams were allocated their respective search areas and deployed soon after.
We are pleased to report that the missing person was found safe and well, within the Saltash area, and we were stood down at 1800 hrs.
16th March
A call came in at 23.50 for a team of 4 males training for Ten Tors. The alarm was raised when they hadn’t arrived at their scheduled camp stop for the evening.
Starting from Two Bridges, the search teams spent 8 hours searching across 24 sq.km of moorland in atrocious conditions over the group’s planned route. Heavy rain, mist and flooded paths made searching difficult.
The teams re-traced possible routes the group may have used to traverse the moor as well as dealing with alternative routes across rivers which were very high.
At around 7am, the team were found soon after they resumed their walk, having found a sheltered spot to camp, a good distance from their planned river crossing point.
The team were well equipped and did exactly the right thing. They had to go off route and their mobile phones didn’t have reception, so they camped and waited until the morning.
A very good outcome for all!
23rd February
As the events in Keyham developed overnight, the Police and Bomb Disposal experts determined the safest course of action was to remove the bomb and dispose of it at sea. As this would involve displacing residents along the intended route of the bomb, we were tasked with visiting more properties and ensuring all residents could leave.
These 2 days were a world away from Dartmoor, but an amazing experience to be part of a huge multi-agency operation to ensure the safety and security of Keyham, Ford and Devonport residents.
22nd February
The team were deployed from 7am, tasked with assisting the Police and other emergency services (Fire & Coastguard) with a mass evacuation in Keyham, Plymouth, where a large unexploded WWII bomb was discovered a few days prior.
The team was tasked with speaking to resident in the exclusion zone to encourage any remaining to leave, and to gather numbers of those staying.
We stood down at 3.30pm as the Police and Bomb Disposal continued their work on making the device safe.
14th February
The team were called out at 15.45 to the Dewerstone to assist South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) Paramedics with the extraction of a fallen climber from the upper buttresses of the Dewerstone.
In horrendous weather conditions, 18 members of the team attended alongside a rope rescue team from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Camels Head Fire Station.
Due to the casualty location, the terrain and the weather, the extraction required a significant descent by the rope teams before team members and the other agencies could safely get the casualty to the waiting ambulance.
Despite their injuries, the casualty remained in good spirits throughout the protracted rescue. We wish the casualty a swift recovery.
2023 Callouts
In 2023 the team dealt with a total of 16 incidents, totalling 61hrs 37m.
Incidents had an average duration of 3hrs 51m.
December 28th
The team was called to the Wembury area to assist locating a vulnerable adult who had gone missing. Working with the Police and HM Coastguard, the teams combed the areas around the headlands and paths. Thankfully, after several hours searching, the missing person was located and taken to an ambulance for further support.
December 17th
We attended the Lee Moor area to help South Western Ambulance Service and Fire Service carry off a patient with a knee injury.
Thankfully nothing major of note had happened to them, and the team was stood down an hour later.
November 2nd
Our Water Tem were called out to assist Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service with a car in the water, during Storm Ciarán.
While the Fire Service stabilised the car and were able to remove the casualty from the vehicle, DSRT Plymouth then conducted a 4 hour bank/river search for any other occupants until the Police were satisfied that no-one else was involved.
AUGUST 19TH
As night fell, our team was called out to the Dewerstone, a familiar location for us. A climber had taken a 15ft fall, landing on his head. Thanks to collaborative efforts with SWAST, Devon Air Ambulance, and the Fire Service, we swiftly extracted him to the waiting ambulance. We send our best wishes for his recovery and hope to see him back climbing soon. An update from our team doctor at Derriford Hospital reveals he suffered broken ribs and a skull fracture but is now awake and sitting up in bed.
JULY 27TH
The team were tasked with searching various wooded areas around Yelverton for a missing individual, taking over from DSRT Tavistock. The missing person was familiar with moorland environments, so the team concentrated their efforts on woodland areas near places he had previously visited. Although they didn't locate the missing person, it's heartening to report that he has since been found safe and well. This positive outcome is thanks to the valuable information and support provided by the community.
JUNE 14TH
At midday, Devon & Cornwall Police contacted us to assist in searching for a high-risk missing person in Plymouth. Our team conducted searches in multiple wooded areas, but the missing person was found safe and well by the police outside of our designated search area.
JUNE 11TH
In the early hours of the morning, Devon & Cornwall Police requested our help in searching for an elderly gentleman who had not returned from walking his dog near Leigham, Plymouth. Alongside Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Tavistock, East Cornwall Search & Rescue Team, and DSFRS Urban Search & Rescue, we searched various wooded areas near his home. The gentleman was ultimately found safe and well by a family member, having walked a considerable distance from his residence.
MAY 29TH
The team was called upon to assist Devon & Cornwall Police in the search for a high-risk male who had gone missing near Honicknowle, Plymouth. However, as we were assembling at the designated meeting point, news arrived that the missing individual had been located. Consequently, the team was stood down.
MAY 12TH
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust requested our assistance in recovering a 28-year-old female near Gutter Tor who had slipped and potentially fractured her ankle. With the use of our titanium stretcher, off-road wheel, and team Land Rover, we successfully transported her to the road head for further transfer to University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust at Derriford. Fourteen team members, alongside SWAST and HART, were involved in the two-hour operation.
APRIL 25TH
We were called to aid SWAST in retrieving a gentleman who had fallen while walking his dog on the pipe track, approximately 1.5km from Cadover Bridge towards the Dewerstone. Alongside South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and HART, our team of 29 worked together. We decided to transport the casualty on our titanium stretcher back to Shaugh Bridge, despite it being a longer route, as it was a smoother path. Subsequently, the land ambulance took over for the transfer to University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust at Derriford.
APRIL 8TH
Our team was summoned to assist South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust in rescuing a 57-year-old gentleman who had fallen from his horse while riding on the moor north of Wotter. Initially, with limited numbers, we reached out to Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Tavistock for support. Our water rescue team, already engaged in training, promptly joined the effort. Both DSRT Tavistock and Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England provided valuable assistance. SWAST Incident Response and the gentleman's family expressed gratitude for our response.
FEBRUARY 15TH
At 12:05 PM, Devon & Cornwall Police requested our assistance in locating a high-risk missing female in the Manadon area of Plymouth. Thirteen team members and two dog teams from Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Tavistock responded, gathering at the Manadon Sports Hub. Dart 54 was assigned to transport a small team of casualty carers to a potential location, but they were recalled and stood down at 13:41 PM when the Police confirmed that the missing person had been found outside of the designated search area.
2022 Callouts
During 2022 the team dealt with a total of 26 callouts.
DECEMBER 3RD
At 12:50 PM, the Police requested our team to gather at the Gutter Tor car park in order to search for a lost 16-year-old who was on an overnight trek with a wild camp. The team focused their search on areas east of the River Plym and successfully located the young lad relatively quickly, as he had the wisdom to stay in one place. Thankfully, he was found safe and in good health, albeit a bit cold. It was a great outcome, and the lad will surely have an interesting story to share in the future. The team was stood down at 14:35 PM.
DECEMBER 2ND
At 00:35 AM, the Police requested our team to assemble in the Derriford area to conduct a search for a high-risk missing person. Our team diligently searched the dense woodland areas surrounding the hospital. However, after receiving additional information from the Police, we stood down at 03:36 AM, as it was believed that the missing person had left the area.
DECEMBER 1ST
At 16:54 PM, our team received a request to gather in Ivybridge to locate a missing person who had sustained a broken ankle. However, Devon & Cornwall Police and South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust were able to reach the individual before our team could fully mobilize. As a result, the team was stood down at 17:39 PM.
OCTOBER 18TH
At 14:30 PM, the team received a request to assist a Role 1 Medical Ltd ambulance crew, operating on behalf of South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, in extracting a patient with an isolated ankle injury from a remote location near Harford, on the outskirts of Dartmoor. Collaborating with the crew and a SWAST HART team from Exeter, we successfully extracted the casualty using our titanium stretcher and off-road wheel. Subsequently, the HART team utilized their impressive 6-wheel Polaris vehicle to transport the casualty to the awaiting ambulance. The team was stood down at 17:03 PM. This incident exemplifies the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation and collaboration.
AUGUST 24TH
At 11:13 AM, we were called upon to assist Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Ashburton, along with search dogs from Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England and Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Tavistock, in searching for a missing 71-year-old female in the Kingsbridge area. Tragically, shortly after the search commenced, the body of a female was discovered. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends during this difficult time.
AUGUST 10TH
At 20:30, Devon & Cornwall Police sought our assistance in Plymouth to search for a high-risk missing male. Twenty-one team members responded to the call. Extensive searches were initiated in the nearby woodland. Fortunately, the missing person was located safe and in good condition, resulting in the team being stood down.
JULY 6TH
At 8:48 AM, Devon & Cornwall Police requested our assistance in searching for a high-risk despondent male in an area near Shaugh Prior. Eleven team members, along with our control vehicle Dart 04 and Land Rovers Dart 54 and Dart 64, responded to the call. We collaborated with handlers from Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England, our sister team Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Tavistock, as well as Devon & Cornwall Police dogs and drones. The search efforts focused on farmland and fields; however, regrettably, the individual was not located. As a result, the team was stood down at 11:45 AM pending further police investigations. UPDATE: The missing person was found safe and in good condition outside of the search area.
JUNE 30TH
At 08:20 AM, our team was called upon to assist Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Ashburton in a multi-agency operation to locate a high-risk despondent female. Twelve team members, along with handlers from Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England, Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Tavistock, Urban Search & Rescue, Devon & Cornwall Police dogs, drones, and helicopter, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service water team, East Cornwall Search & Rescue Team, and Maritime and Coastguard Agency, responded to the callout. The search efforts encompassed water, woodland, and areas surrounding Newbridge. Regrettably, the person was not located, and the team was stood down at 4:00 PM. However, the missing person was later found alive outside of the search area.
JUNE 29TH
At 12:07 PM, our team was called upon by the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to assist with a fallen climber at the Dewerstone. Eleven team members promptly responded, accompanied by Cornwall Air Ambulance, SWAST, HART (Hazardous Area Response Team), and Devon & Cornwall Police. To facilitate the evacuation of the casualty, our team utilized a titanium stretcher and a large off-road wheel. We send our best wishes to the injured individual and hope for their swift and full recovery.
MAY 18TH
In Looe, on Wednesday evening, our team received a call from East Cornwall SRT to aid Devon & Cornwall Police in the search for a high-risk 81-year-old woman with dementia who had not returned from her walk as expected. Given the urgency of the situation, search dogs from Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England were brought in, while HM Coastguard (Looe Coastguard) teams covered the coastal areas. Fortunately, just as our teams were preparing to deploy, we received information that the woman had been located in the Tencreek area, thanks to sightings reported by members of the public. Although she had a minor head injury and was cold, she was otherwise in good health. We extend our gratitude to the East Cornwall team, the region's search dogs, and the observant members of the public whose timely reports assisted in locating and providing help to the lady.
APRIL 3RD
The team was called upon by Devon & Cornwall Police to assist in a multi-agency search near Combe Martin in North Devon for a high-risk missing individual. Alongside the Police, local Maritime and Coastguard Agency teams, Police Drones, Devon Cave Rescue Organisation, Surf Life Saving Devon, and the Police Operational Support Group, our team members joined the search efforts. We conducted searches in open farmland, steep woodland, tracks, and footpaths, while the Coastguard Search & Rescue Teams focused on coastal areas in and around Combe Martin. Additionally, Devon Cave Rescue Organisation explored a nearby cave. Despite the collective efforts of all involved in today's search and the preceding days, the outcome remains inconclusive, and Police inquiries are ongoing.
FEBRUARY 24TH
At 07:17, Devon & Cornwall Police requested our assistance in locating a 14-year-old female who went missing from the Landrake area in Cornwall. Swiftly, 11 team members gathered in Landrake, accompanied by East Cornwall SRT. One large DSRTP team conducted searches in the vicinity of the village, while Dart 54 and 64 were dispatched to explore more distant areas. Two teams from ECSRT searched the remaining locations assigned by D&CP, braving intermittent hail showers. Searching operations were suspended at 11:25 AM, pending further inquiries. D&CP received a report suggesting that the missing girl had been sighted in Plymouth City Centre, which was soon confirmed, ensuring her safety and well-being. Consequently, the team was stood down.
FEBRUARY 18TH
With the departure of StormEunice, our team has returned to its regular state of operational readiness. We were on standby from midnight and present at our Rescue Centre from 5:00 until 17:00 today, as part of the multi-agency response to the Major Incident. Equipped with two 4x4 vehicles, drivers, casualty carers, radio operators, and water team members, we were prepared to swiftly respond to any developing incidents. Fortunately, it has been a relatively quiet day, with only one tasking for Dart 54. This downtime has allowed us to conduct essential equipment checks, ensuring our continued service to Plymouth and the surrounding region. Our thoughts go out to those affected by StormEunice, and we sincerely hope that the storm's impact has been minimal.
FEBRUARY 16TH
At 03:00, Devon & Cornwall Police requested our assistance in locating a high-risk missing individual in Newton Ferrers. Sixteen team members swiftly gathered in the town center, accompanied by teams from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and D&C Police. Two large teams from DSRTP conducted searches in woodland near the village, while Rescue 924 helicopter from Newquay searched along the River Yealm and coastal areas. RNLI Plymouth Lifeboat Station searched the water, and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Bigbury, Yealm, and Plymouth Coastguard Rescue Team scoured the Yealm and Noss Mayo regions. Unfortunately, the searches yielded no results, and all DSRTP members were stood down at 08:15 pending further inquiries. However, we later received notification that the missing individual had been located by Rescue 924 and the Coastguard Rescue teams.
FEBRUARY 12TH
On the second day, 16 members returned and recommenced the search at 08:45. They were joined by members of DSRT Tavistock, DSRT - Ashburton, and later by East Cornwall SRT. Extensive searches were conducted over a larger area, but, unfortunately, the male was not located. At 18:15, all search operations were halted. Subsequently, we received information that the missing male has been found safe and in good condition.
FEBRUARY 11TH
Devon & Cornwall Police sought our assistance at 18:00 in locating a high-risk missing male. A total of 18 team members, along with DSRT - Tavistock and Urban Search & Rescue, participated in extensive searches of dense woodland and the vicinity of Bickleigh Barracks. Active search operations were halted at approximately 01:00.