A walker lost on Saddleworth Moor has been saved after a tense, multi-agency search involving the National Police Air Service (NPAS). The man had gone missing since lunchtime and only managed a brief phone call before his battery died. As night fell and harsh weather closed in, rescuers raced against time.
National Police Air Service Spots Vital Clue from the Sky
A fixed-wing NPAS crew joined forces with Greater Manchester Police and Oldham Mountain Rescue Team to scour the moor after dark. From the air, they locked onto a crucial heat signature on a remote hillside. Moments later, rescuers spotted a faint torchlight—confirming the stranded man was signalling for help.
Using high-tech mapping tools, the air crew pinpointed the exact grid reference. This allowed mountain rescue volunteers to reach the walker swiftly despite the difficult terrain.
Walker Found Hypothermic, Airlifted to Safety
The man was located suffering from hypothermia and exhaustion. Immediate on-scene medical care stabilised him before a Coastguard helicopter airlifted him to hospital. Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Police managed road closures to keep emergency routes clear.
PC Richard Beswick, who found the man alongside his search dog Ace, said: “It was a brilliant multi-agency effort that quite literally saved a life given the brutal weather and terrain.” The walker has since been discharged from hospital.
Air Support Proves Crucial in Treacherous Terrain
With limited info and an expansive, rugged landscape, the aerial search was key to the successful rescue. This mission highlights the vital role of air support in protecting vulnerable people in the UK’s toughest environments.
