Police drone unit help NEWSAR pluck teen from treacherous Meliden Mountain terrain

Quick-thinking Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) called in a force drone unit after spotting a teenager stuck on a North Wales mountain.

North East Wales Search and Rescue Team (NEWSAR) volunteers were scrambled to the Dyserth area on Wednesday evening following reports that a teen was in difficulty on Meliden Mountain, which overlooks Prestatyn.

A North Wales Police drone pilot provided clear situational awareness to the NEWSAR team, allowing them to survey the dangerous and difficult terrain above the teenager. This enabled them to plan a safe abseil down to the boy.

The NEWSAR team was able to reach the youngster by using a twin tension technical rope rescue system.

A team member was lowered 140 metres down broken ground and cliffs, and the teen was then attached to the rope system and brought back to the top, where he was reunited with his family.

In a statement, the NEWSAR team said, “For the technically minded, this is possibly the first time we have had to use a ‘knot passing’ operationally. Most of the crags in our area can be dealt with using our 100-metre lengths.”

The operation also showcased the effectiveness of drone technology in enhancing the capacity of rescue teams in challenging situations.

A North Wales Police drone unit spokesperson praised the efforts of the team, stating, “Great work by the NWP Drone Unit to help ensure a happy ending. Last night (Wednesday, June 7), a young boy stuck on Meliden Mountain was spotted by our quick-thinking PCSOs. The incident concluded with our intrepid mountaineer recovered safe and sound.”

The spokesperson further highlighted the importance of such resources in community safety, stating, “Just another example of how invaluable resources like this are to us, as we work to keep our community safe.”

24/7 ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

NEWSAR is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the team primarily operates in North East Wales, covering the counties of Flintshire, Denbighshire, Wrexham, and parts of Conwy and Powys. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

In addition to their local work, NEWSAR regularly assists other Mountain Rescue teams in North Wales, as well as Lowland Search and Rescue teams in Cheshire and Shropshire. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The team is comprised entirely of volunteers who dedicate their time to search for vulnerable people missing from home or those in need of rescue. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

It costs approximately £30,000 per year to run the team, covering fuel and repairs for vehicles, protective equipment, training courses, and essential team equipment such as ropes and stretchers. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

As a registered charity, NEWSAR relies primarily on grants, individual donations, legacies, street collections, and collection tins to fund its vital operations. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​