DESPITE the Covid-19 pandemic precautions the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue team has experienced one of the busiest periods for several years with seven callouts over the last fortnight.
The team was involved in the searches for three missing persons, at Hamsterley Forest, Barnard Castle and in the Durham area.
Members were also called to assist the North East Ambulance service three times, helping crews rescue patients from difficult terrain at north Durham, Barnard Castle and Low Force.
The team was also asked to support Durham Police in east Durham by providing rope access to steep and difficult terrain.
The majority of the call-outs required the donning and wearing of personal protective equipment as part of the team’s protocols during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pete Bell, deputy team leader said: “While we are maintaining our full operational capability across all of County Durham, please bear in mind we are all volunteers and the Covid-19 pandemic places extra requirements on our team members operationally, physically and personally.”
