Dartmoor teams rescue injured walker after fall into river near Hexworthy

A woman was rescued on Friday evening after falling into a river in the Hexworthy area and injuring her knee. Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Tavistock were called at 5.50pm on 8 November to assist with getting her safely out of the remote location.

The team was given an accurate location for the pair and information that one of the walkers had fallen into the river.

She was out of the water when rescuers arrived but had a knee injury and was becoming cold.

READ NEXT: Historic Dartmoor church for sale at £150k as village marks end of an era

Her companion was also very cold and needed immediate warming.

A hill party, including two paramedics, reached the casualty just after 7pm, and when they arrived the woman was unable to walk, so two more hill parties were sent in with a stretcher.

Access to the site was difficult and the only exit from the valley required a river crossing.

Because of this, Tavistock team members asked Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton to provide backup with a swift water rescue team in case conditions worsened.

Despite the challenging terrain, rescuers located a safe crossing point for the stretcher team.

ABOVE: Around 20 team members assisted the 4 hour rescue mission (Credit: DSRT)

The injured walker was successfully carried across the river and handed over to a waiting land ambulance.

Her companion, after being warmed, was able to walk out with the support of the stretcher party.

The incident was also supported by Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response, who helped transport teams and equipment into the area.

READ NEXT: Confusion at Derriford as new Dartmoor urgent care centre leaves patients unsure

The rescue operation ended at around 10pm.

Rhodri Davey, who attended the incident, spoke to The Moorlander to praise the crew’s cohesion and teamwork throughout the rescue:

“On the map it didn’t look far, but the reality was a one-kilometre descent down an incredibly narrow, muddy gorse-covered footpath. By the time we reached the river, about ten metres wide and very boggy underfoot, it was fully dark, even though the night was clear, there were around 20 of us dispatched.”

He continued: “There was no way to go back the way we’d come, it was simply too dangerous with a stretcher, so we had to find a safe crossing and go out to the south towards Dunnabridge. 

ABOVE: A narrow path muddy under foot and surrounded by gorse greeted the rescue team (Credit: DSRT)

“We warmed both walkers using a KISU emergency shelter, which was really effective, and called in our sister team from Ashburton in case a water kit or a rescue sled was needed. In the end our decisions and risk assessments were spot on. Ashburton were eventually able to stand down once we confirmed the route was safe. The total rescue time was around 4 hours”

The teams described the callout as a good example of different volunteer groups working together to ensure a safe and efficient rescue.