Lost family airlifted to safety

Updated 16.35 Fri Aug 22 2008
Keywords: Dartmouth Moor, helicopter, police

A family of five who got lost on Dartmoor have had to be airlifted to safety.

The family, two parents and three children aged 12, nine and seven, got lost after walking for about four hours through woods near Fernworthy Reservoir on Dartmoor.

A police spokesman said the family, who were on holiday from France, were "cold, apologetic and very grateful"

When they did not return back to their car the alarm was raised and a police helicopter started a search.

The helicopter found the family approximately ten minutes later at the edge of the forest.

They were airlifted to a rendezvous point on the moor and taken to their car.

A police spokesman said the family, who were on holiday from France, were "cold, apologetic and very grateful".

The spokesman said: "This is a another reminder to those who venture out on to the moors unprepared that there can be serious consequences."

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