Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton had a record year with 42 callouts, reflecting a growing need for their vital services in the area
Ashburton: The Dartmoor Search and Rescue team had a pretty hectic year in 2024. They responded to 42 callouts, which is a whopping 40% increase from the year before.
They kicked off the year on New Year’s Day, helping a guy who might have broken his leg. Talk about starting the year with a bang!
Over the past year, the team worked alongside various emergency services, including HM Coastguard and the Devon Air Ambulance. They really pulled together to help those in need.
One of their first missions was on New Year’s Day, rescuing some teens whose campsite got flooded near the Avon Dam. Heavy rain can really throw a wrench in plans!
Interestingly, about two-thirds of their callouts were within Dartmoor National Park. It seems more folks are exploring the area, which is great but also means more rescues.
They also spent a good chunk of their time helping the police search for vulnerable people. Sadly, some of those searches ended in tragedy, and the team expressed their condolences to the families.
Last February, they had a unique situation when they helped evacuate residents in Plymouth due to an unexploded WWII bomb. That’s not something you hear every day!
August was their busiest month, with eight incidents. They dealt with everything from a climber’s fall to helping someone who fell from a tree. Busy days for sure!
They even rescued a group of 18-year-olds who got lost when the weather turned from sunny to cold and wet in no time. Mother Nature can be unpredictable!
During the Ten Tors event in May, the team faced challenges with high temperatures, leading to a dozen incidents. They were always ready to jump in and help.
One of their proud moments was being the first on the scene to assist a cyclist with serious head injuries. It’s all in a day’s work for these dedicated volunteers.
The team relies heavily on their volunteers, who drop everything to help at any hour. They also appreciate the support from family and friends, which is crucial.
Funding is another big deal for them, as they depend entirely on public donations to cover their annual costs, which exceed £50,000. Every little bit helps!
Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton is an independent charity with 51 volunteers, and they’re doing an amazing job keeping the community safe.
