Helicopter rescue for man unconscious on Dartmoor

A MAN was found unconscious just metres from a Dartmoor reservoir after an extensive search on Friday evening.

At about 3.30pm on Friday police received a report of a vulnerable 44 year old man who had gone missing from his Totnes home.

Three hours later force helicopter lifted to assist local police units, dog units and the Dartmoor rescue group to search the area around Venford Reservoir but was prevented from searching by low cloud and mist.

The aircraft was able to lift again at 9pm and with five minutes of starting the search crew located the man lying unconscious 250 metres South West of the Reservoir.

The helicopter landed and dropped a police air observer who administered first aid, the pilot mean time flying to pick up a DRG Doctor.

The man was air lifted shortly afterwards to the R D & E Hospital by the police helicopter where he is being treated by A & E staff.The reservoir lies at the heart of Dartmoor, not far from Ashburton, South Brent and Buckfastleigh.