THE rescue of a ‘despondent’ man on Monday night whose car had been found near Two Bridges has been described as ‘an outstanding example of multi-agency working’ by the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (DSRT) Tavistock.

The Tavistock team was called out shortly before midnight to search for the 50-year-old man who had been missing since the early afternoon. It was a misty night and visibility was down to 20 metres in some areas.

Team members were deployed alongside police officers and a fire service USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) dog handler to search the tors and Wistman’s Wood.

HART (Hazardous Area Response Team) were also deployed with a specialist all terrain vehicle (ATV) and a team of paramedics. NPAS (National Police Air Support) flew over the area with thermal imaging cameras.

The man, who was not responding to searchers, was found by a foot team member in the early hours, tucked into some rocks, on Littaford Tor. He was not fit to walk, having sustained some injuries.

HART team paramedics worked with police and the DSRT Tavistock casualty carers to treat the injuries before taking the man on a stretcher to the waiting six wheel-drive ATV which transported him to land ambulance.

The casualty was taken to hospital for assessment and treatment and the team was stood down at 4am.

A team member for Dartmoor Search and Rescue Tavistock said it was an outstanding example of multi-agency working and thanks must go to their professional colleagues.

They also expressed thanks to the Two Bridges Hotel for the car parking and hot coffee.