Dartmoor Search & Rescue Ashburton (DSRTA) were deployed by Devon & Cornwall Police to assist in the search for a dog walker who had gone missing near the Obelisk at Mamhead near Dawlish.

Two men had been dog walking at the Obelisk and at dusk one of the dogs fell down a steep wooded slope and did not return. As darkness fell one of the men went looking for the dog. An hour later neither the man not the dog had returned and the remaining concerned dog walker called 999.

Shortly before the rescue team arrived the missing man was located by a combination of the National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter and Police officers. A team of our volunteers were dispatched to support the police officers at the scene. On arrival the missing man was assessed and found to be wet and cold but uninjured. The team then walked the individual through more difficult terrain to a waiting South West Ambulance Service Trust (SWAST) ambulance for a more thorough examination.

Also in attendance were a BASICS Devon doctor, the SWAST Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) & Devon Air Ambulance Trust response vehicle team.

Once the missing man was safely at the road head, a second DSRTA team went in search of the missing dog. The dog was swiftly located and freed from undergrowth where it had become trapped. Dog and owner were subsequently reunited and the team stood down at 2230.

The Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton Search Manager said “We were concerned that the missing dog walker had been seriously injured, we are delighted that apart from being a bit wet and cold both he and his four legged friend were found safe and well”.