RESCUERS were mobilised on Monday to a walker who was lost on Dartmoor at night with no map, compass, whistle or torch.

Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton were called just after 7pm by Devon and Cornwall Police, with news of a walker lost in the Pupers Hill area, near the Avon Dam reservoir and South Brent.

A quick response from the volunteers meant teams were out on the moor by 7.40pm, and the man was found safe and well in just half an hour.

The walker had left his car at Ludgate at 4pm, but had neglected to take a map or compass with him, DSRT said. He was also without a whistle and torch, essential safety equipment allowing those in trouble to signal their location to rescuers.

As daylight deteriorated, he quickly became lost and disorientated. But thanks to good weather conditions and light winds, team members quickly homed in on the area where the walker was suspected to be, found him and escorted him off the moor to his car.

DSRT Ashburton duty team search manager Dave Close said: ‘Fortunately the gent had a mobile phone, which meant we could talk with him and get a good idea of his location before sending out foot teams to escort him off the moor.

‘We recommend that walkers always take a map and compass, and know how to use them, along with essential safety equipment such as a whistle and torch on Dartmoor walks. They don’t weigh much but can make all the difference if you are delayed and find yourself out on the open moor after dark, enabling you to find your way or to signal rescuers.’