THE North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team are busier than ever, having had a recent training exercise interrupted by real rescues.

On the weekend of November 5 and 6, the team hosted the annual Dartmoor Rescue Group Training weekend. At the event, the four Dartmoor Rescue Group teams from Okehampton, Tavistock,­ Ashburton and Plymouth meet up to work together on a search and rescue exercise, honing necessary rescue skills and improving communication and co-ordination between the groups.

On the first day of the event, training had to be put on hold to carry out two real rescues. The first was to locate a lady near Taw Marsh who had broken her leg, and assist with her evacuation to an air ambulance. The second involved a man, also with a broken leg, who required assistance to an awaiting ambulance following an accident in Abbeyford Woods. The second day was also interrupted by real callouts. The first to Burrator to locate a missing person, who was found by the Plymouth team. The second was to search for a missing person near Chudleigh, which was attended by the Ashburton team.

Despite the callouts, the teams managed to carry out a training exercise on the Sunday with the help of a Sea King search and rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor.

The weekend will be remembered for a different reason by Brian Cole, a long-standing member of the NDSRT. Brian found himself caught up in the pile-up on the M5 near Taunton on Friday, November 4. He managed to escape from his vehicle, and his rescue training kicked in as he assisted the emergency services with casualties despite having severe bruising.

The next event on the team's fundraising calendar is the virtual horse race night at the White Hart Hotel on Friday, November 25. The night is a joint event between the team and the Museum of Dartmoor Life, with proceeds being split evenly between the two organisations. Tickets cost £8 and include supper.

For tickets or details, call into the museum or phone 01837 52295.