North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team

03/11/2026

24/10/2026

Mountain Rescue Awareness Day – 25 October 2026
As we approach Mountain Rescue Awareness Day tomorrow, 25 October, we are reminded of the challenging conditions our volunteers face when called out to rescue people in difficulty, particularly with the arrival of Storm Beolo.
The storm is forecast to bring severe gales and heavy rain throughout today and into Sunday. Our advice during severe weather is simple: stay at home. The mountains and hills will always be there, waiting for another day.
Check the met office forecast: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ and the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) https://www.mwis.org.uk/
This year’s Awareness Day centres on the theme “Ready for the Unexpected”, highlighting how quickly conditions can change during the autumn and winter months and encouraging everyone to prepare properly before heading outdoors.
Coinciding with the end of British Summer Time, Mountain Rescue Awareness Day aims to:
🔹 Encourage better preparation and safer decision-making in the outdoors.
🔹 Reduce preventable incidents and avoidable callouts.
🔹 Raise awareness of the vital role played by Mountain Rescue volunteers.
🔹 Generate support for Mountain Rescue teams across England and Wales.
As the weather turns, please think carefully before heading into the hills and mountains. Check the forecast, understand the conditions and be prepared to change your plans when necessary.
Stay safe out there. If you do find yourself in difficulty, our dedicated Mountain Rescue volunteers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ready to respond when they are needed.
Please help us spread the word, support your local Mountain Rescue team and remember: the best rescue is often the one that never needs to happen.

17/10/2026

Incident 40: Friday 16 Oct

The team was called out at 12:48 alongside South Western Ambulance Service Trust to reports of a runner with a leg injury near Arms Tor. 15 team members deployed, along with two land rovers, and reached the casualty at approximately 13:45.

SWAST paramedics then assessed the casualty and administered pain relief. Meanwhile team members provided warm clothing and protection from the cold wind then loaded the casualty onto a stretcher and carried them down the hill to a waiting vehicle.

Many of our team members are trail runners themselves, and in the great tradition of British mountain rescue, they are always happy to help fellow outdoor enthusiasts out enjoying our amazing Dartmoor..

As the weather starts to get colder, though, it is worth thinking about what you're carrying with you: if it takes us one or two hours to reach you, how cold will you be when we get to you? A pocket bivvy bag, whistle, battery pack and pocket headtorch don't take up much space, but they could make a very big difference to how your day turns out!

10/10/2026

Incident 39: Thurs 8 Oct
The team was called out at 10:50 by Devon & Cornwall Police to join a multi -agency search for a missing person near Combe Martin. Our members searched around the village whilst Search Dog Jack and his handler covered part of the coast path but sadly a body was located by one of the other organisations. Our thoughts go out to their family and friends.
With Exmoor Search & Rescue Team, Mullacott Coastguard Search and Rescue, RNLI Ilfracombe

28/09/2026

Our team were at the inaugural Dartmoor Beast race this weekend, enjoying some classic Dartmoor weather 🌧️

The course crosses some of the toughest terrain and highest points in southern England – all deep in our stomping ground. We were delighted to be on hand to support the event, and help ensure all 500+ participants got back to Okehampton safely.

It was great to see such a turnout in support of Hospiscare – a fantastic local charity doing important work for the local community.

Hospiscare #

25/09/2026

25/09/2026

Our car park is not a free station car park.

We have had lots of problems over the years with people parked on our car park, blocking our access, and preventing our team members from gathering at our centre to respond to emergencies, which is why we have engaged a private parking contractor to help us keep the area clear.

Unfortunately these people, who parked then walked off towards the station this morning, can expect a parking charge notice for £100 in the post.

The last thing we want to be doing is sending parking tickets to members of our community, and our charity doesn't benefit from any charges paid - but we can't allow our ability to respond to be prevented by people who don't want to pay £2.

p.s. The Dartmoor National Park Ranger vehicle parked has a permit to park here.

23/09/2026

Incident 38: Wed 23 Sept, Falmouth

The team was requested by D&C Police to support a major multi‑agency evacuation in after a wartime bomb was discovered in the harbour at .

Four of our team members travelled down to join colleagues from the other Dartmoor and Cornwall Search & Rescue teams, working alongside Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service and Coastguard Rescue teams. Our teams went door‑to‑door through the evacuation zone, in particular around Pendennis Headland and the Castle (nobody was home), helping to advise residents, answer questions, and supporting those who needed a bit of extra assistance while Royal Navy specialists dealt with the device.

It’s the third bomb‑related evacuation we’ve supported this year - after Exmouth and Plymouth - and our most distant callout so far. As always, our volunteers stepped up without hesitation to help keep our communities safe.

19/09/2026

Incident 37: 18 Sept 16:07

For the third time this week, the team was called out, this time by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to assist with extraction of a casualty who had slipped and was injured in the West Cleave area above the East Okement River, South East of Okehampton.

14 team members deployed in two land rovers, and unusually we were able to control the operation from our Rescue Centre just around the corner. The casualty was assessed by the first of our Remote Rescue Medical Technicians at around 16:50 and a little while afterwards they were joined by paramedics from the SWAST HART team.

Other team members brought a stretcher and other equipment to the casualty site but ultimately the casualty was able to be assisted in walking to a waiting ambulance vehicle. Team members returned to base and were stood down at 19:00. We wish them a speedy recovery.

17/09/2026

Incident 36: Wed 16 Sept

The team was called out by Devon & Cornwall Police at 17:00 to search for a vulnerable missing person in and around North Tawton. Two land rovers and the team's incident control vehicle were deployed to North Tawton Rugby Club with 12 team members, including a water rescue team and equipment on standby.

Detailed searches were carried out around the River Taw as night fell and in farmland and dense woodland to the North of the village.

After clearing the initial search areas and as the teams were being retasked, information came in from the police which indicated that the missing person was unlikely to be in the local area, so the team's involvement in the search was ended at around 21:00.

We have seen a significant increase in our callouts this year, compared to 26 in the whole of 2025, but our team members are now back home, recharging their torches and radios ready for the next person who needs us.

Thanks to for letting us use their car park and clubhouse.