A ‘family-of-three’ were tracked down by mountain rescuers and a police helicopter after becoming lost above Dovestone Reservoir. Emergency teams were called out to the Saddleworth beauty spot on Saturday evening (January 4) in bitterly cold conditions.
Fifteen members of the Oldham Mountain Rescue Team worked for three hours to find the trio and bring them to safety. The volunteers used ‘Phone Find technology’ to track down the missing group’s devices.
A police helicopter was also used to guide the team. Video footage from above, captured by the National Police Air Service (NPAS), shows the moment the trio were found.
The missing ‘family’ can be seen huddling together for warmth. One of the mountain rescue team waves both arms as they spot the trio.
A spokesperson for Oldham Mountain Rescue Team said: “On Saturday evening the team were called by Greater Manchester Police who had received a call that a party of three people were lost on the hillside above Dovestones. Team members and vehicles were mobilised to the area.
“Using Phone Find technology, and with the assistance of a helicopter from the National Police Air Service, the lost party were located at Ashway, high up on the hillside. Once team members were on scene, the party members were checked over. They were very cold.
“They were all given extra clothing before starting the walk down. Waiting for them at the bottom was a warm North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust where they were checked over again and warmed up before being allowed home. Fifteen team members were involved for three hours.”
Emergency services at the scene
(Image: Oldham Mountain Rescue Team)
Sharing video footage from above the rescue scene on X, a spokesperson for NPAS North West said: “Here you can see the moment earlier this evening (Saturday) that our crew talked in members of Oldham Mountain Rescue Team to a family lost in the dark on the moors above Dovestones Reservoir. Great team work with GMP and NWAS also to ensure all are now safe and well.”