Walkers rescued from Bodmin Moor on Christmas Day during 'very bad weather'

Two walkers have been rescued from Bodmin Moor in Cornwall late at night on Christmas Day.

The pair got into trouble around Rough Tor and called Devon and Cornwall Police just after 9pm on Wednesday 25 December.

The force incident controller alerted East Cornwall Search and Rescue Team and the pair's exact location was able to be confirmed using Phonefind.

The walkers had started to become cold and wet from very bad weather and volunteers from the charity were deployed to help with the rescue.

Michael Eslick, who was part of the rescue team, said: "The weather was really against us up there. Very, very foggy. The mist was coming in. It was getting very, very cold for the two walkers.

"Unfortunately, where they'd manage to get themselves was in what we call the 'boulder field' on the southern side of Rough Tor. So, they were out of the wind, they'd made themselves comfortable, didn't try to proceed any further."

Due to one of the walkers having poor mobility due to their medical history, the rescuers decided to stretcher one of them off over the steep and very rocky ground.

Michael said: "Without a shadow of a doubt, the walkers could have quite easily become very, very ill overnight with the cold.

"They were well prepared. They had good clothing, good footwear. They had some snacks and drinks with them. They had a fully-charged phone, so they really were prepared for what they were dealing with."

Both walkers were brought to the rescue team's vehicle, so they could warm up and be driven back to their homes. Those behind the rescue then got home just after 3:30am on Boxing Day.

In a post on Facebook, the team added: "We wish them both a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

"In an emergency dial 999 and ask Devon and Cornwall Police for Mountain Rescue."

Michael added: "If you are stuck in rural Cornwall - before you even go out, make sure your phone is fully charged, know where you're going, try to tell somebody where you're going and what time to be expected back. Then, the alarm can be raised if you've not returned from your adventure.

"Sit tight. Don't keep walking unless you're in direct contact with somebody that knows the area. That we could actually talk you to a safe location so that you can sit tight and we can come and get you, if needed."

The charity is entirely voluntary and relies entirely on public donations. It is encouraging people to donate or set up fundraising events to support their work.

Michael said that even if people cannot afford to donate, the charity benefits from likes and shares on its social media pages.

He said: "Or give us a wave, it's always nice to see that the work we do as volunteers is being appreciated."