Big rescue operation to find man and dog lost in fog on Bodmin Moor
He became disorientated and called 999 for help
A big rescue operation is launched to try and find a missing man and his dog on Bodmin Moor.
The pair set off on Wednesday morning but got lost and disorientated in the thick fog, so called 999 and asked for help.
Search and rescue teams and police officers were all called to the scene.
Crews scoured the area at around 11.30am but were unable to contact the man again as his mobile phone battery died.
Teams covered a large area in difficult weather and underfoot conditions and they called in back up from other areas.
After four hours of searching, they received an update that the man had managed to make his way off the moor, and he and his dog were safe and well.
"Although there are many lessons which can be learnt from this call out, we are all very happy that this incident had a positive outcome and would also like to thank the local landowners for their help."
East Cornwall Search and Rescue Team
Devon and Cornwall Police say the man, who lives in the Bodmin area, had made a 13 mile journey for his daily exercise when he got lost.
Officers say there were plenty of alternatives that were closer and are reminding people to stay local during lockdown.
“On the morning of Wednesday 27th January emergency services were contacted by a male who reported he had been walking his dog on Bodmin Moor and was now lost due to the thick mist and poor visibility, before his location could ascertained his phone run out of power and he could not be contacted.
“The initial investigation identified two possible locations on Bodmin Moor, which were a significant distance apart and police officers were deployed to both areas to try to find the male’s car.
“The car was located and the search then focused in the Roughtor area of Bodmin Moor. East Cornwall Search & Rescue team were deployed to the moor and commenced searching in very difficult conditions.
“At 3pm with fading light and the male not having been located assistance was requested from West Cornwall Search & Rescue and Dartmoor Rescue Group who also started to deploy teams to the incident to assist with searching.
“At around 3.50pm a call was received from the male stating he had found his way to St Breward and was safe and well.
“The male lives in the Bodmin area, he stated he was taking his daily exercise and had made a journey of 13 miles to do so despite there being plenty of alternatives that were closer.
“This highlights another reason why the advice is to stay local; you may inadvertently become involved in an incident that places others at risk. In this case numerous responders had to attend to search for him."
Inspector Regie Butler-Card
Devon and Cornwall Police would advise anyone venturing onto any moorland to take suitable precautions:
- Check the weather, don’t go if poor and you are inexperienced.
- Ensure you have a means of navigation and know how to use it
- Have a backup means of navigation
- Have a fully charged phone
- Have spare warm & waterproof clothing
- Let someone know where you are going, the route you are taking & when you are due back