FIRE and rescue teams searched a six-mile area from Chagford to Clifford Bridge on Sunday evening after an overturned kayak was found in the River Teign, provoking fears that someone was in trouble. A thorough search was conducted around 7pm and included crews from Okehampton, Chagford and Moretonhampstead, a specialist line rescue team from Plymouth, a dog handler and members of the Dartmoor Rescue Team. No-one was located and later that evening police were informed that the owner was found safe and well at home. Okehampton fire station officer Ian Donovan said if anyone is canoeing or using the river it would be wise to inform someone of where they are or what they are doing. 'If they lose or abandon any item of clothing or equipment it should be reported to the police so it does not escalate into the sort of incident we had on Sunday,' he said.
