Avon & Somerset Search & Rescue

10 ASC Call-out. Incident 10 5/3/25 The team were contacted indirectly via Mendip Cave Rescue concerning an injured horse-rider on Wavering Down in the Mendip Hills. The team was called to their location following confirmation with Avon and Somerset Police and South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust As local team members were arriving they confirmed ambulance teams were also arriving. Our response was kept to these local resources assisting with the packaging and evacuation of the injured lady. We wish her a speedy recovery.

The team was operational for nearly 2 hours.

09 ASC Call-out. Incident 9. 1/3/25 (third incident of this day) In the early evening Avon and Somerset Police contacted the team requesting support for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust with an injured lady in woodlands near Frome. We were able to deploy team members to the location (who were returning from another call-out) and help move her to a vehicle at the roadside.

The team was operational for 2 hours.

08 ASC Call-out. Incident 8. 1-2/3/25. Avon and Somerset Police contacted us early Saturday morning requesting support with the search for Luis Piovesana in north Bristol, specifically around the River Frome. Over the weekend we were able to deploy search teams into the water, along the steep wooded river valley and into wooded areas around Purdown. This also included our drone searching areas of scrub.

Our technical search was complemented by many friends, family and members of the public helping out which was remarkable to be part of. Tragically Luis was found by the police dive team on 3/3/25. We hope his family can take solace from the great display of community support.

The team was operational for 14 hours.

07 ASC Call-out. Incident 7. 1/3/25 Wiltshire Search and Rescue requested support in the ongoing search for Sebastian Sailes. We were able to deploy a few of our specialist water technicians to help who were operational all day whilst the remaining team were deployed to incident 8 in Bristol.

06 ASC Call-out. 18-02-2025 Our Land Search Team was called out early this morning. Around 2am, Gloucestershire Constabulary asked us to support a search for a missing lady in the Cinderford area of the Forest of Dean. Search parties soon assembled and searched through the small hours.
Sadly whilst the search was ongoing, a body was discovered by a member of the public. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the lady concerned.
Many thanks to all who responded, which included our colleagues from Gloucestershire Cave Rescue Group and Avon & Somerset Search and Rescue.
Severn Area Rescue Association – Wyre Forest Station
Severn Area Rescue Association – Beachley
Severn Area Rescue Association – Tewkesbury
SARA Cotswolds

05 ASC Call-out. 12/02/25 The team were requested by @aspolice to help two people who were stuck in a steep part of Cheddar Gorge. @dsfireupdates also responded and were able to help the people back down to the road.

The team were operational for 1.5 hours.

04 ASC Call-out. 2/2/25 The team were contacted by @aspolice to assist @swas_ft with an injured horse rider on Black Down in the Mendip Hills.

We were able to provide pain relief and protection from the cold while we escorted a paramedic to the scene. Following further pain relief the casualty was moved to a stretcher and then carefully carried over 1km across rough terrain to the waiting ambulance.

We wish the injured horse rider a speedy recovery.

The team was operational for 4 hours.

03 ASC Call-out. 26-27/1/25 As flood waters were rising in South Somerset on Sunday night we were part of a multi-agency response to help affected people. Team members were operational for nearly 12 hours overnight helping residents move from flooded properties and carrying out welfare checks on others.

02 ASC Call-out. A member of the public found an injured person by the roadside in Cheddar Gorge today (6/1/25). They had dialled 999 requesting an ambulance but were growing increasingly concerned for the casualty due to the cold. They called 999 again and asked for Mountain Rescue, @aspolice passed the call straight to us. As an Incident Controller was gathering more details from the passer by they confirmed the casualty was now being loaded into an ambulance. No attendance required.

Our thanks to the passer by for stopping to help and thinking of asking for us as @swas_ft have so many pressures to deal with.

01 ASC Call-out. On Saturday night 04/01/2025 the team deployed along with several other SAR agencies and 4×4 response groups assisting Avon and Somerset Police in reaching a number of incidents that were difficult to access due to the adverse weather conditions.

Snow and ice covered many of the rural roads in the BANES area. Members in the teams 4×4 vehicle worked with the police to attend a large number of incidents caused by the inclement weather.

22 ASC Call-out. Avon and Somerset Police contacted the team during the late evening on 3/12/24 following concerns for a high-risk male in Avon Gorge. The team was put on standby as discussions continued around how we could best help. Given the circumstances it was agreed by all involved that we could be called at first light to undertake a land and cliff search. The team was stood down pending further contact.

Sadly the police reported that a deceased male had been found in the gorge the next day. Our thoughts are with his family and friends as they begin the grieving process.

21 ASC Call-out.  The team were deployed to major flooding in Yate, South Gloucestershire overnight. Throughout the night, welfare checks were made on residents in their properties.

Other team members delivered support roles, all part of a large multi-agency response to support people in our community. The team worked alongside @avonfirerescue and supported by our neighbouring Mountain Rescue Teams @severn_area_rescue_association and @exmoorsrt.

20 ASC Call-out.  On 28/10/24 @aspolice contacted us regarding a high risk missing female near Weston-super-Mare. The team was called out but then put on standby as new sightings had come to light. Upon investigation the new intelligence indicated that our services would not be needed and we could stand down.

19 ASC Call-out.  On Sunday 27/10/24 @severn_area_rescue_association made contact requesting assistance with an ongoing search for a vulnerable missing female near Gloucester. Several team members deployed to help but were stood down en route as @glospolice had located her safe and well.

18 ASC Call-out. @dorset_search_and_rescue requested support with an ongoing search for a missing person suspected of being in a river near Wimborne. We were able to deploy 3 x swift water and flood rescue technicians but were stood down en route as sadly the person was found deceased in the water. Our condolences to the family and friends.

17 ASC Call-out. @aspolice contacted the team requesting support as a vulnerable young person was in a precarious position. As one of the teams Incident Controllers was gathering information from officers at the scene they could report the person was now safely with police.

16 ASC Call-out. The team were called out to a person with a suspected broken ankle on the hill side above Cheddar Gorge.

Working alongside @swas_ft colleagues, the casualty was treated and evacuated by stretcher to the roadside.  

15 ASC Call-out.  @swas_ft requested help via @aspolice for us to move a casualty down a steep, rocky path to the roadside. The team went on standby, then to callout but rapidly stood down as a local team member had got to the casualty site to be advised by the paramedics that the casualty would be able to walk down with assistance.

14 ASC Call-out.  @aspolice contacted us requesting our assistance in the search for a high risk missing female north of Wells. Initially the team was put on standby while further work was done to ascertain her location. The team was called out as reports had come in that she was in Ebbor Gorge thanks to a member of the public. Police made contact with her and the team went back to being on standby and then stood down when the police confirmed our presence was not needed. The team was operational for 2.5hrs.

13 ASC Call-out. @aspolice requested the support of ASSAR in the search for a vulnerable female in the Brent Knoll area. Working alongside police officers, police drone and dog team we were able to identify her location and once officers had made contact, confirming she was uninjured we were able to stand down. The team was operational for 2.5 hours.