Walker rescued after ankle injury near River Lyd on Dartmoor

Dartmoor (Tavistock) MRT was called out on Tuesday 20 October 2026 to help South West Ambulance Service recover an injured walker from alongside the River Lyd.

The team was called at 9.37am and sent a 4x4 vehicle to carry members, equipment and ambulance personnel to a point above the casualty, before the group made their way down a steep track on foot to reach her.

Ambulance staff found she had a fracture dislocation of her right ankle. She was given pain relief and the injury was splinted before rescuers placed her into a stretcher.

Team members then carried her up the slope to High Down car park, where she was handed to the ambulance crew for transport to hospital.

The team described the operation as "another example of good interagency co-operation involving ourselves, SWASfT ambulance and SWASfT HART" and wished the casualty "a quick recovery".

The River Lyd

The River Lyd rises at Lyd Head in the Dartmoor national park and flows into the River Tamar beyond Lifton. It passes through Lydford Gorge, described as the deepest gorge in South West England.

The team

Dartmoor (Tavistock) MRT searches for and rescues people who are lost, injured or in distress on Dartmoor. It is a voluntary charity funded entirely by donations and is on call every day of the year, according to its website.

The team recorded 30 call-outs in 2025, according to the Mountain Rescue England and Wales annual review. (Dartmoor (Tavistock) MRT, Mountain Rescue England and Wales)

Staying safe

Mountain Rescue England and Wales advises anyone in difficulty in the hills to dial 999 or 112 and ask for the police, then mountain rescue, giving details of location, injuries and the size of the party, and to stay in place until contacted by the rescue team. (mountain.rescue.org.uk)

Earlier call-outs in Devon (South)

• Man rescued after falling into river at Lydford Gorge

• Derby MRT searches for missing person near Elvaston

• Walker rescued after becoming separated from group in Dovedale

Read Dartmoor (Tavistock) MRT’s original post on its website.

Sources

1. 20.10.2026 Injured walker, River Lyd below High Down Dartmoor (Tavistock) MRT
2. River Lyd, Devon Wikipedia
3. MREW Annual Review 2026, incident figures January to December 2025 Mountain Rescue England and Wales
4. Dartmoor (Tavistock) MRT website Dartmoor (Tavistock) MRT
5. In an emergency in the hills, dial 999 or 112, ask for the police, then mountain rescue. mountain.rescue.org.uk
6. If you have hearing or speech difficulties, you can register to contact 999 by text by sending the word register to 999 and following the instructions sent. mountain.rescue.org.uk