Response team member rescued in Dartmoor snowstorm

A member of the Devon and Cornwall 4x4 Response Team has been rescued after becoming stranded in heavy snow on the evening of 6 January while driving home from Exeter to Tavistock.

At around 6pm, snow began to fall heavily along the A386 from Sourton Cross, quickly making the roads icy and dangerous. 

The driver, along with other motorists, struggled to continue as vehicles lost traction and became stuck near Willsworthy Ranges, between Mary Tavy and Lydford.

The 4x4 Response Team member contacted the team’s control centre, explaining the situation and the growing number of stranded cars. 

In response, the control team dispatched two nearby responders to assist, while a gritter from Devon County Council arrived from Okehampton.

The responders worked together to push the stranded vehicles onto the gritted road, allowing them to safely continue their journey.

The Devon and Cornwall 4x4 Response Team, formed in 2009, covers all of Devon and Cornwall through four teams: Cornwall, North Devon, East Devon, and West Devon. 

Matthew Johnson, one of the volunteers, explained: "We are all volunteers who put our 4x4s, our skills and time to help the community during times of bad weather or crisis."

Their primary service is emergency logistics, and they are part of the Local Resilience Forum (LRF). When bad weather strikes, the team is called to transport essential personnel, such as doctors, nurses, and key hospital staff; to their workplace, ensuring critical services continue. 

They also help care providers reach patients in rural areas, enabling them to continue their important work regardless of the weather.

In addition, the team supports Dartmoor Rescue Teams and Devon and Cornwall Police, offering assistance during emergencies.

Volunteers with the Devon and Cornwall 4x4 Response Team come from a variety of professional backgrounds, including project management, education, mechanics, engineering, and the armed forces. 

Members are spread across Devon and Cornwall and meet monthly to coordinate their efforts. 

They also attend community events and support charities like Cancer Research and St Luke’s Hospice.