High-Tech Drone Saves Missing Woman in Dead of Night
Police pulled off a dramatic rescue after a vulnerable woman was found unconscious in a field, thanks to a cutting-edge drone. The woman had vanished near Kilton Forest Golf Club and Bassetlaw Showground, with pitch-black conditions making the search a nightmare on the ground.
Thermal Drone Pinpoints Woman in Minutes
The force sprang into action, launching their newest drone just after 1.30am on Wednesday. Equipped with a thermal imaging camera, the drone spotted a lone heat signature within moments and guided officers straight to her.
The woman was rushed to hospital for potentially life-saving treatment. Chief Pilot PC Vince Saunders hailed the drone’s role, saying, “Our drone capability has many uses – from crowd control to arrest assistance, but they truly shine when finding missing people fast.”
He added, “Faced with darkness and a vast search area, aerial support was our only shot. Thanks to quick action and skilled flying, the woman was located almost immediately. Their efforts quite possibly saved her life.”
Meet Nottinghamshire’s 24/7 Drone Squad
Nottinghamshire Police’s drone team was launched in January 2020 and operates from HQ in Arnold. It now boasts 17 trained pilot officers and four drones—two high-spec main units and two smaller support drones.
The drones are on call round the clock, ready to swoop anywhere in the county. They also assist Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue with live thermal data, crucial in battling blazes.
State-of-the-Art £20K Drone Packs a Punch
This rescue was the first big win for the team’s new £20,000 DJI Matrice 300 drone. It offers better battery life, speed, durability, and an eight-times zoom thermal camera that captures detailed heat imagery from afar.
Other recent victories include nabbing a suspect accused of shooting sheep with a crossbow and confiscating illegal off-road bikes during a wider crackdown.
