Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue

1996 1997 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Statistics 2004

2007 Incidents, Call Outs and Other Events

Numbered Incidents are reported to Mountain Rescue - England & Wales

37. 7th November Search / Spot Pick-Up 11:44 Hrs Anglezarke Quarry, West Pennine Moors. Team requested to search for a male reported missing from Clitheroe and car located at Anglezarke Quarry. Search of quarry, farmland and adjacent moors requested. As the Team was responding to the RV news came that the man had been quickly located at the bottom of the quarry with extensive injuries. The Team was requested to assist in his extraction. Immediate medical care given by paramedics from the North West Ambulance Service. Team packaged the casualty using a vacuum mattress and carried him to the waiting ambulance. SARDA dog units stood down responding. (40 Rescue Person Hours)

7th November Standby Search 07:55 Hrs Salesbury near Ribchester. Team Leader received a “heads up” direct from an on duty Police Officer (Team member) who was responding to a report of a missing female and dog near the River Ribble at Salesbury. Car had been located. Rossendale Pendle MRT Team Leader was contacted as to availability should a search be required. Information received that the female was on holiday with the dog away from Lancashire. The car had been lent to her brother who had been fishing overnight. Team was not required. (1 Rescue Person Hours)

36. 6th November Search 09:27 Hrs Junction 4, M55, Blackpool. Team requested to search an area of farmland and woods for a vulnerable male who had been missing overnight. As the Team gathered at the RV near Junction 4 of the M55 the missing person “appeared” having apparently been flushed out of cover by all the activity. Teams trailing dog unit and a SARDA (E) dog handler also responded. (33 Rescue Person Hours)

35. 1st November Search 13:00 Hrs Sabden. Team requested to assist Rossendale & Pendle MRT in the search for a missing female. Extensive searching of farmland and woods was undertaken but the search was called off when the person was located, safe, having returned home. (30 Rescue Person Hours)

34. 28th October Body Recovery 15:32 Hrs Healy Nab near Chorley. Team requested to recover the body of a male located in woods on Healy Nab. Task completed. (50 Rescue Person hours)

20th October Team held a Flag Day & Street Collection in Lancaster. Thanks to the members of the public for their continued support.

14th October Standby Search 10:28 Hrs Ormskirk. A search for a 77-year-old male, missing since the previous day. Police had extensively searched all identified areas with open areas covered by the Police helicopter. Team to standby and an Incident Controller dispatched to Ormskirk Police station to review the operation. One small area of woodland identified for re-search by the Team. However, person turned up safe in St. Helen’s and Team stood down. (2 Rescue Person Hours)

33. 13th October Search 13:29 Hrs Ribbleton, Preston Team asked to search for a male who was suspected to be about to / had self-harmed. Search of cemetery and woods undertaken but nothing found. Search Dogs from, Kendal MSRT & Cave Rescue Organisation assisting. Police helicopter providing support and searching River Ribble near Samlesbury Bottoms. (45 Rescue Person hours)

Post Script. The body of the missing person was recovered from Preston Docks some days later.

32. 13th October Spot Pick-Up 12:45 hrs Saddle Fell, Bowland While undertaking rescue safety cover for the UK National Fell Running Relay Championships a female runner sustained an ankle injury. Team evacuated casualty by stretcher and landrover to a location where the North West Air Ambulance was able to land and complete the onward journey to the Royal Preston Hospital. (10 Rescue Person Hours)

10th October Standby Search 23:38 Hrs Blackpool. Team requested to search for a missing 12-year-old male in the Blackpool area. Search of sand dunes and coastal area near Blackpool Airport identified as priority areas. Team Incident Controllers proceeding to area but stood down before full Team page could be issued as missing person turned up safe and well. (1 Rescue Person Hours)

18th September Standby Search 14:25 Hrs Adlington. Team requested to search for missing 84-year-old female described as vulnerable. Initially no suitable search areas for mountain rescue were identified and relatives fully expected person to “re-appear” at 18:00 hrs. Team brought to standby (15 persons available) with preparations made to commence search of farmland near person’s home at 18:00 hrs. Missing person located safe at 17:25 hrs in Wigan Town centre and Team did not deploy.

8/9th September Standby 22:00-06:00 Hrs Grizedale near Garstang. Request from NWAS to provide a 4 x 4 Landrover ambulance to cover a concert being held in a remote valley with no road access. 450 persons expected. Due to the relative close proximity to our Garstang vehicle base it was decide the Team would be paged at the same time as any land ambulance being dispatched using normal procedures. The Team was not required.

31. 8th September Search 19:05 Hrs Ribbleton, Preston Team requested to search for a missing 4-year-old female & 7-year-old male in the Ribbleton area of Preston. Search areas including Cemetery, woods, open parkland, golf course and River Ribble (Identical to a previous search in 2006, Incident 27). A member of the public located them just after 21:00 hrs and the Team stood down shortly afterwards. SARDA dogs from Cave Rescue & Kendal also responded. (40 Rescue Person hours)

30. 1st September Spot Pick-Up 12:57hrs Healy Nab near Chorley. Team requested by North West Ambulance Service to assist with a female who had collapsed in the area of Healy Nab. Team was stood down on arrival, as the Ambulance crew had been able to reach the lady. (16 Rescue Person Hours)

1st September Team held a Flag Day & Street Collection in Garstang. Thanks to the members of the Garstang public for their continued support.

29. 29th August Search 20:00 Hrs Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria Teams trailing dog and handler were requested to assist in the search for a vulnerable 74-year-old gentleman missing from a holiday home in Braithwaite near Keswick. Nothing found in the initial extensive searches but the person was located safe a few days later in the Newlands Valley.

Keswick MRT Incident 58, 2007

28. 26th August Spot Pick Up 14:00 hrs Kirkstone Pass, Cumbria. Two Team members whilst training with SARDA assisted Langdale Ambleside MRT with a cragfast male at Red Screes. (2 Rescue Person Hours)

Langdale Ambleside MRT Incident 60, 2007.

25th August Standby Search 17:50 Hrs Chipping. A Team member (an off duty Police Officer) contacted the Team Leader direct with a report of an overdue fell runner from the Chipping Show Fell Race. Team placed on standby whilst Team Leader set off for the show ground to confirm route and plan search. However, person turned up safe on the show field arriving some 2 hours after the previous competitor. Police helicopter was not available and visibility was very poor on the tops.

18th August Team again held a Flag Day & Street Collection in Leyland. Thanks to the members of the Leyland public for their ongoing support.

27. 9th August Spot Pick Up 16:29 hrs Bolton-by-Bowland. Team requested by North West Ambulance Service to assist with a rider who had fallen from her horse and sustained back/neck injuries. Air Ambulance not available due to weather conditions. However, the Team was stood down with 2 vehicles mobile when it was determined that the first land ambulance on scene was able to access the casualty. (4 Rescue Person Hours)

26. 5th August Search 23:00 Hrs Tavistock, Dartmoor Teams trailing dog and handler, while on holiday in Cornwall, were requested by Dartmoor SRT (Tavistock) to assist in the search for a missing male, aged 84, reported as vulnerable & suffering Alzehimers. Person located, safe by Dartmoor SRT (Ashburton). Second BPMRT person acted as navigator for SARDA (England) dog handler. (12 Rescue Person hours)

4th August Safety Cover Borrowdale Fell Race, Keswick, Cumbria The Team again provided safety cover for this event in the Lake District (our 34^th year). A shortened route this year due to the weather conditions and safety considerations. No fell incidents to report. On the field the usual numbers of competitors presented themselves at the Teams First Aid station with the usual scrapes and bumps. (210 Rescue Person Hours)

25. 3rd August Spot Pick Up 20:17 hrs Eccelston. Team requested by North West Ambulance Service to assist with a male casualty fallen out of a tree with back injuries. Team members assisted with short carry across fields to waiting land ambulance. (14 Rescue Person Hours)

1st August Standby Search 20:45 Hrs Blackpool. As the previous incident was coming to a close Team Controller’s informed of another person missing from the hospital and another search of open ground around the hospital was requested. However, as this person had only just gone missing, having already been returned to the hospital earlier in the day and was highly mobile the Team declined to carry out the search but remained on standby should circumstances change. The Team was not required.

24. 1st August Search 19:35 Hrs Blackpool. Whilst the Team was preparing for one of our regular Wednesday evening training sessions we were requested to search for a male missing from Victoria Hospital. Missing since about 11:00 hrs earlier in the day and requiring his medication. Team responded to Blackpool but stood down just as we were about to commence initial search operations - the missing person had been located on Blackpool Promenade. (26 Rescue Person hours)

28th July Team again held a Flag Day & Street Collection in Preston City centre. Thanks to the members of the public for their continued support

23. 22nd July Spot Pick Up 13:45 hrs White Crag, Trough of Bowland. Team Leader contacted direct by Team member (an on duty Police Officer) who was responding to a report of two mountain bikers lost on Middle Knoll in the Brennand Valley. One reported as a diabetic & hypoglycaemic, the other uninjured, both cold. After contacting Police Force Incident Manager to confirm call out Team Leader informed that Police Helicopter already on route and was given mobile phone number of casualties. After speaking to the casualties it was obvious from the description of their surroundings that they were well off route some 4k north of reported position. Police helicopter soon directed to casualties and evacuated the diabetic to the valley where Team members treated him. Other Team members who had driven / walked up to White Crag escorted the other uninjured but exhausted person off the fell. Two Team members enjoying the ride down the hill on some very expensive mountain bikes. The value of the bikes explaining the reluctance of the second casualty to get in the helicopter and leave the bikes for recovery later! (13 Rescue Person Hours)

22. 21st July Search 22:55 hrs Bolton-le-Sands near Carnforth. Team requested by Lancashire Police to search for a female, aged 74, and described as vulnerable. Missing since 21:00 hrs, reported as very fit and not returned home. Request to search the foreshore of Morecambe Bay, nearby canal and farmland. Team’s trailing dog unit immediately tasked with going to persons home to see if a trail could be followed. However, person turned up, safe, having walked into Morecambe. Team stood down with 4 vehicles mobile and 15 persons responding. (15 Rescue Person hours)

14th July Team held a Flag Day & Street Collection in Clitheroe. Thanks to the members of the Clitheroe public for their continued support.

21. 3rd July Search 14:00 Hrs Haverthwaite, Cumbria Duddon Furness MRT requested the assistance of the Teams trailing dog and handler in the search for a missing male. Stood down shortly after arrival, as person had been located safe by Duddon Team. (2 Rescue Person hours)

1^st July Team continued a busy period of displays with another at Lancashire Police H.Q. at Hutton near Preston.

30th June The Team organised and provided safety cover for the 2nd Bowland Challenge event. This navigation event is based in the Trough of Bowland with team’s competing to visit as many check points as possible. The event was great success but with atrocious weather this year.

20. 26th June Search 19:30 Hrs Briefield, Burnley Rossendale Pendle MRT requested the assistance of the Teams trailing dog and handler in the search for a missing 78 year old male. Sadly, a body was located the following day. (5 Rescue Person hours)

17th June A 2nd day at Scorton Vintage & Country Fair.

19. 16^th June Body Recovery 20:09 hrs Whittle Quarry, Whittle-le-Woods. Team requested by North West Ambulance Service who had received reports of a person fallen in Whittle Quarry. Sadly, the person was deceased. Team escorted Police CSI & NWAS personnel to scene which was difficult to access and recovered the body. Police helicopter in support. (43 Rescue Person Hours)

The Team also undertook three other events today:

The third of three demonstrations of the Teams skills held at our Smelt Mill H.Q. in the Trough of Bowland as part of this year’s Bowland Festival. Also, the Team put on a static display at Scorton Vintage & Country Fair. Finally, a street collection in Chorley. Once again the Team would like thank the people of Chorley for their generous support.

18. 14^th June Spot Pick Up 12:46 hrs Banks near Southport. Team requested by North West Ambulance Service to assist with the evacuation of a worker who had fallen from scaffolding on the Back Drain Bridge at Banks Marsh. Air Ambulance not available due to weather conditions. Initial request was for 600m carry to road head but Police 4x4 used to transport casualty. (13 Rescue Person Hours)

17. 10th June Spot Pick Up 13:29 hrs Dunsop Fell, Trough of Bowland. Team requested by North West Ambulance Service to assist with a 74 year old male who was reported as exhausted and unable to continue with his walk back to Dunsop Bridge. After some initial confusion finding the exact location with Team members deploying to both Whitendale and the Salter Fell Roman Road, the casualty was eventually located at Burn Side suffering from the effects of the heat. Team treated the casualty and used Team vehicles to transport the casualty and his party back to Dunsop Bridge. (14 Rescue Person Hours)

9th June The second of 3 demonstrations as part of this year’s Bowland Festival. Team gave another search dog and casualty evacuation demonstration at our Smelt Mill H.Q. in the Trough.

3rd June Continuing a busy time for the Team with another display. This time at Myerscough College Open Day, Billsborrow.

2nd June As part of this years Bowland Festival the Team gave a search dog and casualty evacuation demonstration at our Smelt Mill Headquarters in the Trough. This year’s event running from 2nd to 17th June.

30th May Standby Search 14:19 Hrs Ormskirk. Team paged by Lancashire Police to search for a missing vulnerable male in the Ormskirk area. However, no suitable search areas could be identified from existing information. Team remained on standby until the early evening but we were not used. Missing person located in Liverpool the following day

16. 28th May Search 16:15 Hrs Cuerden Valley Country Park, near Leyland. Team contacted by North West Ambulance Service (Lancashire). They had received a report of a 12 year old girl fallen from a bike but had been unable to locate her. Team requested to search area. Casualty quickly located by Team members who lived local to the Park. Team vehicle able to access casualty (after we had removed a few gates) and used to transport the girl to waiting Ambulance. (28.5 Rescue Person hours)

26th May Team returned to Wadecar Scout Campsite for another event celebrating the 100 Year Anniversary of the Scout Movement. This time for Preston & District Scouts. As well as out static display the Team gave demonstrations of stretcher rescues and casualty pick-offs from the abseil tower.

15. 25th May Body Recovery 03:34 hrs Ribbleton, Preston. Team requested by Lancashire Constabulary to recover the body of a male. Task completed. (32 Rescue Person Hours)

19th May Team provided a display for West Lancashire Scout County at Wadecar Scout Campsite near Beacon Fell. This was another event celebrating the 100 Year Anniversary of the Scout Movement. Over 950 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers & Leaders present.

14. 5th May Spot Pick Up 16:34 hrs Salesbury Hall near Ribchester. Team requested by North West Ambulance Service to assist with the evacuation of a male reported with a dislocated hip from woods by the River Ribble near Salesbury Hall. Short carry to waiting North West Air Ambulance completed by 17:41hrs (16 Rescue Person Hours)

5th May Standby 00:05 Hrs Brindle (Denham?) Quarry. Team paged by Lancashire Police to urgently attend Brindle Quarry where a 14-year-old girl (somewhat worse for drink) was reported as “stuck”. However, Team was immediately stood down with members already responding to our vehicle bases in Garstang & Penwortham. The first Police Officer on scene had been able to recover the young lady.

1st May Advice 16:00 Hrs Chesterfield Area. Teams trailing dog handler contacted by Edale MRT in relation to a missing person whose car had been located in the Chesterfield area. Sadly, the person was found shortly afterwards, deceased, by a SARDA handler and trailing dog not required.

13. 28th April Spot Pick Up 12.04 hrs Muncaster Castle, Cumbria. Two Trainee Team members assisted Wasdale MRT with the evacuation of a 77-year-old female who had sustained an ankle injury in the Bluebell Woods area of the Muncaster Castle Estate. (see Wasdale MRT website incident 7:22 ) (2 Rescue Person Hours)

http://www.wasdale-mountain-rescue.org.uk/callouts~2007.htm

12. 27th April Spot Pick Up 15.30 hrs Brock Bottoms near Wadecar Scout Camp. Team assisted the North West Air Ambulance in the evacuation of an elderly female with a head injury from Boggy Wood near Wadecar Scout Campsite. Team carried the casualty about 500m, crossing the River Brock, to the waiting helicopter for onward journey to Royal Preston Hospital. (19 Rescue Person Hours)

22nd April Team provided a display for Blackpool Scout District at Stanley Park who were celebrating their annual St. Georges Day Parade and the 100 Year Anniversary of the Scout Movement. Over 650 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers & Leaders were able to climb all over a variety of Emergency Service vehicles from Fire, Police & Ambulance Services as well as ourselves. We can confirm that all “blues & twos” are in full working order!

11. 20th April Spot Pick Up 19:10 hrs Heysham Head, Heysham. Team called by North West Ambulance Service with a report of a male with head injury on cliff at Heysham Head. Fire & Rescue, Coastguard and RNLI also attending. On arrival it was soon ascertained that the person had fallen to bottom of cliff and access was not that difficult. Team assisted with carry of casualty a short distance to waiting RNLI hovercraft. Hovercraft then transported casualty around headland. Team members then assisted with transfer of casualty from hovercraft to waiting Ambulance. (20 Rescue Person hours)

10. 19th April Search 11:59 Hrs Burscough near Ormskirk. Request from Lancashire Police to search for a 15-year-old female reported missing earlier in the day and possibly overnight. Request to search open farmland and woods near home. As Team arrived at Burscough Police Station person located, safe, near home. (26 Rescue Person hours)

8th April Standby 12:30 Hrs Saddle Fell, Trough of Bowland. Team members based at our Smelt Mill Headquarters in the Trough of Bowland contacted direct by the North West Ambulance Service with a report of a walker in difficulty in the Saddle / Wolf Fell area. North West Air Ambulance, already on route, was able to land and evacuated the person.

9. 6th April Spot Pick Up 13.20 hrs Nicky Nook, Garstang. Team called by North West Ambulance Service to assist the North West Air Ambulance in the evacuation of a female reported with a compound fracture of the lower leg. Team carried the casualty a short distance to the waiting helicopter for an onward journey to Royal Preston Hospital. (18 Rescue Person Hours)

6th April Advice 08:00 Hrs Sheffield Area. Teams trailing dog handler contacted by Edale Team in relation to a missing person they had been searching for overnight. However, the search was stood down shortly afterwards.

8. 30th March Search 03:33 Hrs St. Annes. Request to search for an 88-year-old male reported as depressed and possibly suicidal. Missing since previous day at lunchtime but not positively seen in 24 hours previous to that. Search of golf course and sand dunes requested. As Team was about to be fully mobilised report came that person had been located in hospital having been admitted direct - by passing A&E processes. (1.5 Rescue Person hours)

24th March Safety Cover 08.00 - 14.30 hrs Fiendsdale, Trough of Bowland. The Team once again provided safety cover for the Fiendsdale Fell Race. No fell incidents to report with the usual minor cuts and bruises at the end of the race. (60 Rescue Person hours)

23rd March Standby 15:17 Hrs Totridge, Trough of Bowland. Contacted by Lancashire Police with a report of a walker in difficulty. Reported as cold & tired. Lancashire Police Air Support Unit already on route. Team Controller gave advice on possible location. Helicopter able to land on and evacuate. Vehicle at Team base readied but not required. Perfect weather conditions.

18th March Also, today a joint sponsored abseil event with Derian House was held at the Ashton Memorial, Lancaster. Over 100 persons supporting this event.

18th March 09:00 hrs With extreme bad weather forecast for later in the day we were contacted by the North West Ambulance Service as to our availability if required. As always our resources were available if required. However, the expected bad weather did not materialise.

17th March Search 15:57 hrs Whittingham, Goosnargh. Team paged to search for a missing vulnerable female reported as suffering from some form of dementia. Missing since morning from local home. Person located at former home in Lytham before Team fully mobilised.

7. 9th March Search 15:12 Hrs Lytham. Team paged by Lancashire Police to assist in the search for a male in the Lytham area. Initially no search areas identified. However, at 17:30 hrs it was decided that an area of woods near Lytham Railway Station needed to be searched. Team paged to Standby at 17:40 for 10 “volunteers” (being all that would be required) with Call Out at 18:00 hrs. Stood down at 18:20 hrs when information came that missing persons mobile phone had been “pinged” in Newcastle - so he had got on the train! (15 Rescue Person hours)

6. 4th March Spot-Pick Up 10:52 Hrs Langden Valley, Trough of Bowland. Team Leader contacted direct by Team member attending the SARDA (E) training weekend to be informed that a dog handler had broken / dislocated an ankle and needed evacuating. Enough persons and resources were available at Smelt Mill to complete the evacuation so decision made not to call the Team. Three Team members who were in the area assisted. Evacuation completed by members from the following Mountain Rescue Team’s – Bowland Pennine (5), Calder Valley (3), Rossendale & Pendle (1), Bolton (1), Swaledale (1), Glossop (1), Edale (1), North of Tyne (1) and “Dogsbodies”(3) from SARDA. (30 Rescue Person hours)

1st – 4th March SARDA (England) in residence at our Smelt Mill HQ for their monthly training course and AGM.

5. 24th February Major Incident (rail crash) 08:55 hrs Grayrigg near Kendal , Cumbria. Following the rail crash the previous evening the Team were requested to re-search, in daylight, areas searched in darkness as part of the initial Mountain Rescue response to the incident. This was to a distance of about 1km out from the crash site. The brief was to confirm that no persons were in the area and recover any personal items that may have been dropped. Duddon & Furness Team assisting in this part of the operation with incident control provided by Kendal Team. (95 rescue person hours)

4. 15th February Search 19:46 Hrs Staining near Blackpool. Team paged by Lancashire Police to assist in the search for a 42 year old male described as vulnerable who had / was about too self harm. Police helicopter had already searched the area but nothing found. Teams trailing dog was quickly deployed from the PLS (Place Last Seen), using a scent article obtained from the persons house. Rest of Team deployed into very muddy farmland and fields. Lancashire Police helicopter returning during the night for a second search. Activities were suspended at 04:30 hrs with the missing person still outstanding. SARDA (LAKES) Dog Team from Kendal MRT also in attendance. (190 Rescue Person hour)

Person located later in the day by the Police helicopter (on a third return to the area) and evacuated by the North West Air Ambulance.

13th February Spot-Pick Up 15:41 Accrington Team requested by Lancashire Ambulance Service to attend a person reported as unable to speak and in a ravine. As this is not in our operational area the Ambulance Service were requested to contact Rossendale & Pendle Team. Due to the urgency of this call the Team Leader also contacted Rosendale's Team Leader direct to give advanced warning. However, a few minutes later Team Leader from Rossendale returned the call to say that the Ambulance Service had dealt with the incident and neither Team were required.

27th January Training Exercise 08:30 - 17:00 Hrs Trough of Bowland. The Team again hosted a major Training Exercise in the Trough of Bowland. This years "story" was a report of a party of Scouts (8) missing on an overnight navigation exercise. Incident Control was again run from our Smelt Mill Headquarters. This years event being particularly challenging for our Incident Controllers. All the exercise injuries concentrated on those typically seen in mountain accidents - mainly lower leg and hypothermia - testing the skills of Team members out on the hills. An additional surprise incident was "thrown in" of a family with a youngster lost on the hill. It gave quite a different angle to training to have a two year old and mother on the hill to deal with. Mountain Rescue Teams involved this year were from Holme Valley and Rossendale & Pendle Teams plus ourselves with a smaller contingent from the Calder Valley Team. SARDA dog handlers from Cave Rescue and the Isle of Man. Also involved was the teams newly qualified trailing dog. Lancashire Police provided a number of observers. The Lancashire Police Air Support Unit (Oscar November 99) also attended and showed it's capabilities by finding 4 "cas sites " in 20 minutes.

21st January Spot-Pick Up 22:33 Skelmersdale Team received a request from Lancashire Ambulance Service for assistance in moving an overweight person from a house in Skelmersdale and transfer to hospital. As this is not the type of work we normally undertake it was suggested that they contact the Fire & Rescue Service.

3. 14^th January Search 01:00 Hrs Colwyn Bay, North Wales. While on a weekend training exercise with SARDA Wales our trailing dog and handler became involved in a search coordinated by North East Wales (NEWSART) & Ogwen Valley Teams. A 78-year-old last seen at 07:30 hrs the previous day at nursing home front door and reported missing 16:30 hrs. Stood down at 14:00 hrs with person still outstanding.

10th January Over 125 Team members & friends gathered at the New Drop Inn, Longridge for the 14^th Chris Mayo Lecture. As many will remember Chris was a former Team Doctor who was tragically killed in a climbing accident in the Cairngorms some years ago. This year’s lecturer was Boyd Harris from Chorley Photographic Club who gave a lecture on a trek to Nepal entitled “Kangchenjunga – The Untrodden Peak”. This trek, in 2005, celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the 1^st ascent of Kangchenjunga and included George Band who made the first ascent (with Joe Brown) in May 1955.

6th January Advice 20:00 Hrs. Newton Stewart, Borders, Scotland. Our trailing search dog handler was contacted by SARDA Scotland / Dumfies Team with an enquiry re trailing a Missing From Home (MFH) male in Newton Stewart. Place Last Seen (PLS) was the front door of the person’s house. Reported as walked everywhere and no car. Missing for 30 hrs with severe storms and bad weather the previous day. Unlikely any trail would be left so request made to be called back if any developments with a more recent trail. However, the person was located shortly afterwards.

2. 5th January Search 18:30 hrs Wrexham. North Wales. The Teams newly qualified trailing Search Dog, handler and another Team member to act as support / navigator were called to North Wales to search for a missing 85 year old male in Wrexham. Reported as an Alzehimers sufferer, last seen with ½ a bottle of whisky. Had been reported missing in the past. Stood down on arrival at 20:30 hrs as person was located safe. (6 Rescue person hours)

1. 4th January Search 08:00 hrs Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria. Following simultaneous departures from our Garstang & Penwortham bases the 18 Team members travelled to Devils Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale to join the continuing search for a missing canoeist. A body was located some hours later and recovered. Other Teams involved – Kendal MSRT, Cave Rescue Organisation (CRO) and SARDA Search Dogs from Kendal, CRO & Kirkby Stephen Teams. (90 Rescue person hours)

3rd January Request for assistance / Search 22:20 hrs Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria. Team Leader contacted directly by Team leader of Kendal MSRT. They had been searching for a missing canoeist on the River Lune since mid-afternoon. The search had been suspended until first light the following day. Team paged to standby and arrangements made for an early start to the northern boundary of our area the following day.