Double Callouts and Training Drills: East Cornwall Search & Rescue’s Non-Stop Day

Two Emergency Callouts and a Busy Day of Training

In an intense 24-hour period, the East Cornwall Search & Rescue Team faced two challenging callouts, demonstrating their dedication and swift response capabilities. The team, supported by their counterparts and specialised search dogs, tackled emergencies in Launceston and Golitha Falls, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the community.

Midnight Search for Missing Person in Launceston

The first callout came at 00:05 on 16th May, when Devon & Cornwall Police requested assistance in locating a high-risk missing person in the Launceston area. Given the vast area to be covered and its location at the boundary of their operational zone, East Cornwall Search & Rescue collaborated with the North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team. The search effort was further bolstered by two members of the Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England.

The teams worked tirelessly through the night, conducting a thorough search until it was scaled back by the police shortly after 05:30. The situation concluded positively when the missing person safely returned home just before 09:00.

Casualty Extraction at Golitha Falls

Later that day, at 13:00, the team was called into action again, this time by the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. A casualty required extraction from the popular tourist spot, Golitha Falls. Thanks to the rapid response of the team’s paramedic and incident controller, the casualty was swiftly assisted back to the car park. The team, working in tandem with the ambulance service, ensured the individual received the necessary medical attention and was promptly stood down thereafter. The East Cornwall Search & Rescue Team wishes the casualty a speedy recovery.

Training for the Future

Friday also marked a day of crucial training for the team’s dedicated search dogs. Mac and TegOrs, accompanied by trainee hopeful Pippa, underwent a training session aimed at enhancing their search abilities. This essential training, which includes playful exercises like hide and seek, ensures the dogs are well-prepared for future search and rescue missions.

Supporting East Cornwall Search & Rescue

East Cornwall Search & Rescue Team is a vital local charity, providing an inland search and rescue service for lost, missing, and injured people across East Cornwall and beyond. Operating entirely on a voluntary basis, the team relies heavily on public support to maintain its operations.

There are several ways to support the team:

• Shop via easyfundraising.org.uk/eastcornwallsrt to generate donations from online purchases.
• Donate or set up a fundraising event through Givey.com/eastcornwallsrt.

In case of an emergency, always dial 999 and ask Devon and Cornwall Police for Mountain Rescue assistance. Your support helps ensure that East Cornwall Search & Rescue Team can continue to save lives and provide essential services to the community.