VOLUNTEERS from Ashburton’s Dartmoor Search and Rescue team assisted Devon and Cornwall Police in searching for a dog walker who had gone missing near Dawlish last night (Friday, October 29)

The team were deployed to The Obelisk at Mamhead just after 7.30pm following reports that a man was missing after he had been in turn searching for his canine chum who had fallen down a steep wooded slope.

A second dog walker had raised the alarm after his companion failed to return after an hour.

‘Shortly before the our team arrived the missing man was located by a combination of the National Police Air Service helicopter and police officers on the ground,’ said the DSRAT search manager.

‘A team of our volunteers were dispatched to support the police officers at the scene. On arrival the missing man was assessed and found to be wet and cold but otherwise uninjured. The team then walked the individual through difficult terrain to a waiting ambulance for a more thorough examination.’

Once the missing man was safely at the road a second DSRTA team went in search of the missing dog who was swiftly located and freed from undergrowth where it had become trapped.

Dog and owner were subsequently reunited and the team stood down at 10.30pm.

‘We were concerned that the missing dog walker had been seriously injured, but we are delighted that apart from being a bit wet and cold, both he and his four legged friend were found safe and well’ said the search manager.