THE North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team has again proved its worth, by playing a vital role in the search for a missing 56-year-old man on September 26.

At 9.50pm, the group was called out by the police to search for the man, who has a medical condition.

He had been reported missing since 1pm that day. The man had walked along a track from the Fox and Hounds Inn towards Kitty Tor on the western side of the moor. His intention was to reach a run known as Bleak House, situated 520 metres high near Great Links Tor.

The man had been walking with a friend when the weather changed and the area was enveloped by fog. The pair managed to get separated, and after searching as far as he could, the friend found his way back to the inn and raised the alarm.

On arrival at the incident the search and rescue team set up their control near the inn and tasked two teams to search the area where the man was last seen. After two hours, it was decided to widen the search area and deploy a police helicopter using thermal imaging cameras. Unfortunately, the helicopter was diverted to a higher priority incident.

The search manager extended the search southwards towards Willsworthy and the Rattle Brook area. Tavistock's search and rescue team was called out in order to increase the number of searchers on the ground. The revised area covered over 32 square kilometres. The services of RAF Chivenor were called up, and they sent a Sea King helicopter to assist.

Police had tried to call the missing man's mobile phone, before finally making intermittent contact at 2am. By asking him questions about wind direction, terrain underfoot and any rivers he may have crossed, a better idea was gained of his route.

Search managers used the information to match possible routes on the map, including one in the Rattle Brook area. The helicopter dropped rescue teams to strategic points along the route. Due to low cloud clover the helicopter had to drop teams two kilometres short of the search area. They continued on foot and started to search along a five-kilometre corridor.

Roughly 15 hours and 20 minutes after first going missing, the man was located next to the river at Tavy Cleave at 5.20am. He was uninjured, and despite his ordeal, reasonably cheerful.

Fourteen members of the NDSRT and nine from the Tavistock team attended the rescue.