TWO search dogs and their handlers and 14 members of Tavistock Search and Rescue team were called out at 11pm on Saturday to search for five young men from London — one of them had an old leg injury which was making it difficult for him to walk. The men had walked onto the moor from Two Bridges at about 4pm but after approximately two and a half hours they became disorientated in the mist and set up their tent, which was damaged by a strong wind during the night. In the heavy rain they quickly became cold and wet. They were found north east of Higher White Tor by search dog Jilly, her handler Cath and their navigator Andy Kings Welton at 1.40 on Sunday morning. All were cold and wet but otherwise fine. They were assisted off the moor to Archerton Farm then ferried back to Two Bridges by Land Rover. Bill McOwan, controller for the Tavistock Section, said it was a good team effort with a rewarding outcome: 'It might have been the longest day of the year but with the mist, rain and wind it must have felt like it was the shortest day and that it was going to be a very long night for the five young men.'
