Yesterday afternoon, Devon Cave Rescue Organisation was requested by the police to provide additional assistance at an incident involving a young person trapped in a rock cleft at Hound Tor.
On arrival, crews found that the casualty's thigh had become firmly wedged between rocks beneath the Tor after she slipped while making her way through a narrow tunnel system. Working alongside colleagues from DSFRS, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, HART, Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Ashburton, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, and Devon Air Ambulance, a careful assessment and rescue plan was developed.
The rescue proved to be a meticulous and challenging operation, with teams working for over three hours in hot conditions. Thanks to the combined efforts of all agencies involved, the casualty was successfully freed and was able to walk off the hill after being assessed by ambulance crews on scene.
A special thank you to all the responding agencies whose teamwork ensured a positive outcome.
And finally, while rescue equipment, technical skills and teamwork all played their part, the real hero of the day may well have been a bottle of Fairy Liquid, which proved invaluable in helping bring the incident to a successful conclusion.
A fantastic example of multi-agency cooperation and a happy ending for a young adventurer.