Incident 42. The team was called out at 17:04 hours to search for a 10-year old, missing at Morwellham Quay. It was wet, windy and already dark, so we immediately called @DSRT Plymouth and some @MRSDE search dogs teams from the region to assist. The terrain was characterised by steep ground, dense woodland and a river which meant that searching was challenging. Other than a place last seen, (the Visitor Centre), we had little information. Further, the child who was subject of our search used non-verbal communication and was likely to resist being found. We planned a search strategy that set up a containment area to minimise the risk that we pushed him further from the Visitor Centre and into the woods. We would then search the surrounding area slowly to ensure that all potential hiding places could be searched. It looked like it might be a long night but, fortunately, at around 19:15, one of our teams heard a noise and located the child who was stuck in some brambles in the woods near the river, about 1km from the place last seen. We deployed a team to take his Mum to the location to reassure him and then returned them to the car park in a team Land Rover. He was assessed by one of our doctors, cleared to go home and warm up, but recommended to seek a medical check-up the following day. This incident was another successful multi-agency response. Other assets deployed were @ D&C Police officers, @NPAS, @DSF boats, @ HM Coastguard and an @RNLI in-shore lifeboat. A fantastic result for all concerned. We wish the young person a speedy recovery and the friends and family around them, a Merry Christmas.
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