South West dramatic rescue as camper lost in severe blizzard

South West rescue crews were called out on Thursday to rescue a camper on Dartmoor after they got lost in low cloud and blizzards on Thursday. As snow had fallen across the region, the North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team were called at 11.04am to locate the backpacker who was reported to be at Yes Tor in Devon.

Rescuers drove to West Mill Tor - but the 5ft (1.5m) snow drifts meant they were unable to drive all the way there - forcing them to continue on foot. They found the stranded camper safe at the summit of Yes Tor, as DevonLive reports.

The rescuers stated that the "ongoing blizzard and ground conditions meant it was not safe" for the camper to continue. A spokesperson for NDSART said: "The individual had become lost in the low cloud and ongoing blizzard which resulted in zero visibility at Yes Tor and extremely deep snow drifts."

They added that the camper was "well prepared and had all the correct equipment with them".

A statement said: "North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team were called at 11:04 to locate a backpack camper stuck on Dartmoor due to the ground conditions and worsening weather.

"The individual had become lost in the low cloud and ongoing blizzard which resulted in zero visibility at Yes Tor and extremely deep snow drifts.Those local to Okehampton walked to the rescue centre to collect a Land Rover, fitted with snow chains and drive as far up to Yes Tor to find the stranded backpack camper.

"Due to ground conditions, the Land Rover couldn't go any further past the track alongside West Mill Tor because of snow drifts, some of which were up to 5ft high in places. Therefore, Team members continued by foot to Yes Tor.

"The individual was located at the summit of the Tor and escorted back to the awaiting Land Rover and returned to Okehampton.

"The Backpack camper was well prepared and had all the correct equipment with them. However, the ongoing blizzard and ground conditions meant it was not safe for them to continue, and they did the correct thing by calling for help before they got themselves injured, cold and wet."