January emergencies highlight expanding role of Dartmoor rescue teams across Devon

The new year has already proved a busy period for Mountain Rescue England and Wales, with the North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (NDSART), based in Okehampton, responding to two major incidents in Devon in the first four weeks.

“These incidents show that our work extends far beyond Dartmoor. We regularly support communities across Devon when specialist rescue skills are needed” a spokesperson for NDSART said.

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The first incident took place on Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 January in Exmouth, after an unexploded World War II device was dredged up in the marina. 

A 600-metre cordon was established while bomb disposal experts assessed the device and later disposed of it safely at sea.

“This was the third major evacuation we have supported in five years following the discovery of unexploded World War II devices, with previous incidents taking place in Exeter in 2021 and Plymouth in 2024” the team said.

ABOVE: The NDSART team were deployed to Exmouth following the unexploded WWII device discovery (Image: NDSART)

Less than two weeks later, the team was deployed again following Storm Chandra on Monday 26 January, which brought heavy rainfall and widespread flooding across East Devon. 

Red warnings for danger to life were issued as the River Exe, River Otter, River Culm and River Clyst burst their banks.

“Storm Chandra caused rapid river rises and significant flooding, requiring swift water rescue capability and close coordination with partner agencies” the spokesperson said.

NDSART’s Swift Water Rescue Team was mobilised at 06:00 on Tuesday (27 January) morning, meeting at Sowton Park and Ride alongside Devon and Cornwall 4x4 Response. 

Two teams, Dart 11 and Dart 12, were deployed along the River Otter between East Budleigh and Ottery St Mary.

Team members carried out river level monitoring, welfare checks, evacuations from flooded properties and assisted at multiple road traffic incidents involving vehicles in floodwater.

ABOVE: Volunteer rescuers from Dartmoor supported evacuations and flood rescues during critical incidents (Image: NDSART)

Dart 11 rescued an individual and their dog from a flooded property next to the River Otter and later attended an incident in Otterton involving a person reporting chest pains. 

South Western Ambulance Service Trust attended, with NDSART escorting the ambulance along flooded and damaged roads.

“Our volunteers were carrying out welfare checks, evacuations and rescues in challenging conditions” the spokesperson said.

Despite NDSART members being volunteers, they are trained in first aid, search skills, swift water rescue, rope rescue, off-road driving and search dog handling. 

“Although our team members are highly trained, they are all volunteers, and our ability to operate depends on donations and grant funding” the spokesperson added.

The team remains on call 24 hours a day, all year round.