Dorset Chief Constable joins in air rescue exercise

He was among officers from the force at a training exercise staged by the Dorset Search and Rescue (DorSAR) group.

The incident involved nine parachutists to test the emergency response in the county.

Chief Constable Mr Baker said: “DorSAR is a marvellous voluntary organisation that saves lives.

“It is vitally important that we train regularly with DorSAR and other emergency services and partners, so that we are fully prepared to deal with major incidents or missing persons as effectively and professionally as possible. “It was a great privilege to see the skill and enthusiasm of the DorSAR volunteers who turn out at any time of the day or night at a moment’s notice.”

He added: “I am aware that they are currently trying to raise £130,000 to replace their control vehicle, which is vital for them to be able to co-ordinate their search efforts. “It is a fact, that, on a number of occasions they have found people on the point of death, who have subsequently made a full recovery, and they need the full support of the public to be able to continue their valuable work.”

The training exercise involved Dorset Police and volunteers from search and rescue organisations across the south of the country at the Rushmore Estate on the Dorset and Wiltshire border.

The aim of the event was for police and rescue groups to hone their skills and forge links.

The two-day event included the mock plane crash and a presentation from police Disaster Victim Identification specialists.

Teams from a search and rescue units in Dorset, Hampshire, Kent, Essex, Sussex, Berkshire and South Wales were joined by officers from Dorset Police.

A Sea King helicopter from RAF Chivenor and the police helicopter were involved as well as firefighters.

During the day, teams found ‘missing persons’ and dealt with a number of casualties with simulated injuries.

President of DorSAR, Bob Knott, said: “Considering the ambitious nature of the exercise, the weekend was a fantastic success.”