The moors of Mossdale, near Garsdale Head
A walker was found safe after a massive 15-hour overnight search by members of six mountain rescue teams in the Yorkshire Dales.
The 68-year-old man, described by police as local, was reported missing about 8.45pm on Monday, sparking a major search by rescuers and police. He went missing on Mossdale Moor on the northern slopes of Widdale Fell near Garsdale.
Police said the man’s military training may have helped him survive his night on the moors.
A North Yorkshire Police statement said: “Due to the adverse weather conditions and low lying cloud, police were unable to call on air support to help locate the missing man.
“Around 60 volunteers from Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team, Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association, Kirby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team and the Cave and Rescue Organisation worked in partnership with officers from Leyburn in an attempt to locate the missing man.”
An RAF mountain rescue team and members of the Kendal team also joined the search, along with members of the Search and Rescue Dogs Association.
Police said the man was eventually found at around 11.30am on Tuesday by a specialist search dog on the moors between Garsdale and Hawes. He was more than a 1.5km (1 mile) west of the main search area.
He was very cold but otherwise fit and well despite spending a night outdoors in wet conditions and was taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary for treatment.
Sergeant Stuart Grainger of North Yorkshire Police said: “The police would like to thank all the various volunteers from search and rescue teams who were invaluable in helping locate the man without the aid of a helicopter.
“Without them we wouldn’t have found him as quickly as we did due to the thick cloud cover and inclement conditions. Thanks to the work of our officers and partners we managed to avoid a tragic outcome.
He added that the man had been well dressed for the conditions which along with his determination to get through the night helped him to survive.
Sgt Grainger added: “The man was remarkably well when we located him which is a testament to his strength of character and basic military training he had behind him.
“He was also helped by the basic walking clothing he was wearing. I would advise anyone to be equally well equipped when going up on to the moors as the weather can change quickly and without warning.”
