A NORTHLEW man was among members of a rescue mission which flew to Colombia this week to assist victims of the earthquake which has claimed more than 1,000 lives.
Paul Minshull, 23, was with the team from the Okehampton-based charity RAPID UK which flew out yesterday (Wednesday).
Paul, who works at Kerry's in Okehampton, and the team from RAPID (Rescue and Preparedness in Disasters) had been on standby since the earthquake struck on Monday.
But it was not until 8.15pm on Tuesday that director Mr Graham Payne, of Jacobstowe, heard from the Colombian Embassy requesting assistance.
The team, plus two rescue dogs from the Midlands, flew out from Gatwick, courtesy of British Airways, at 10.30am and were due to arrive in Bogota at 4pm local time.
Mr Payne, who is directing operations from the UK, said he had spoken to the British Embassy in Colombia and a plane had been organised to take the team straight to the disaster area.
'The team will stay there throughout the rescue period,' he said.
Mr Payne said he was relieved the team was able to fly direct and not have to go via the United States.
On their return trip from helping in Honduras in November last year, the team were arrested at gunpoint by US police, fined and threatened with jail after it was alleged their papers were incorrect.
The team, which included Mr Minshull, was eventually flown out after being helped by a Stansted-based company which loaned them money.