Today, our Chairman received a request from Sussex Search & Rescue Team, (also an ALSAR Team). The request was for assistance over the coming weekend, (8th and 9th December) for a large scaled search in hope of locating a missing person in Sussex who unfortunately went missing during summer this year in Battle.

As to date, 4 Team Members have responded to this request. We are awaiting further details from Sussex Police via Sussex Search & Rescue Team.

May we wish everyone involved in the search – good luck and may they have a safe journey.

For further information on ALSAR Teams, please visit www.alsar.org.uk

At 12.44pm we received the sad news that Mr Matthews was found deceased earlier today, despite the extensive search efforts of Cheshire Police, Cheshire Lowland Search & Rescue Team and our colleagues in the surrounding Mountain Rescue Teams.

Our sincere condolences go to Mr Matthews’ family, friends and work colleagues.

Incident Log Number 08/07

This morning we received notifcation of an elderly lady who had gone missing from a Nursing Home in Prestbury, Cheshire.The lady was last seen on Friday morning but despite the best efforts, Nursing Staff and Cheshire Police were unable to locate her.

Upon arrival at the Nursing Home we received the saddening news from a Cheshire Police Officer that she had been located but unfortunately was deceased. What initally started as a search, became a body recovery by steep banking, streams and farmland. The elderly lady was recovered safely and was handed over to the Coroner for further enquires and investigations into the cause of her unfortunate death.

This was the first body recovery for some members of Cheshire Search and Rescue Team and also the first search where the Rope Access Team was utilised on an active call-out.

Thanks once again goes to Cheshire Police, the Salvation Army and all the staff at the Nursing Home for all the assistance and support they provided.

Cheshire Search & Rescue Team's Breakdown

Dedicated Search Time = 6hrs
Team Members = 11
Man Hours = 66hrs

The search for Mr Matthews continued again today at Delamere Forest, Cheshire.

Mr Matthews has been missing since Thursday 8th November, when he last seen leaving his home address in St. Helen's, going to work. Mr Matthews never arrived at work and further enquiries led to the discovery of his car at Barnsbridge Gate car park, Delamere Forest, Cheshire by a Forestry Commission Ranger.

The search commenced at 0900hrs, supported by Cheshire Police Search Teams, Underwater Search Teams, Cheshire Search & Rescue Team and the Salvation Army who provided hot drinks and hot food throughout the day. 14 members of Cheshire Search & Rescue Team responded throughout the day. The search for Mr Matthews was once again called off at 1900hrs due to lighting conditions and the hazardous terrain unfortunately restricted any further search efforts.

Mr Matthews whereabouts still remained undiscovered and we urge anyone with any information to contact Merseyside Police on 0151 777 1561/2.

Cheshire Search & Rescue Team's Breakdown

Dedicated Search Time = 10hrs
Team Members = 14
Man Hours = 140hrs
Total Search Time for Mr Matthews = 476hrs
Total Stand-by hrs for Mr Matthews = 338.5hrs

The search for Mr Matthews continued today at Delamere Forest, Cheshire.

The Team was notified at 12noon with a request from Cheshire Police to search the South-East sector of Delamere Forest by Blakemere Moss. 9 Team members responded to the request and met at Blakemere Moss car park shortly after 1300hrs.

Mr Matthews still remained undiscovered when the search ended at 1900hrs due to nightfall and the hazardous terrain unfortunately restricted any further search efforts. Although the team has been put on stand-by until 0900hrs tomorrow (Wednesday 14th November)

Cheshire Search & Rescue Team's Breakdown

Dedicated Search Time = 9hrs
Team Members = 9
Man Hours = 81hrs
Total Search Time for Mr Matthews = 336hrs
Total Stand-by hrs for Mr Matthews = 142.5hrs

Incident Number 06/07

Cheshire Lowland Search & Rescue Team continued to search the Delamere Forest area today. Cheshire Police contacted the team yesterday at 1400hrs with an urgent request detailing a high risk male whose car had been found within the Hatchmere area of Delamere Forest on Friday 9th November.

0800hrs brought an early start to the day and teams from Cheshire & Buxton MRT were tasked into several search areas within Delamere Forest.

6 members of the Salvation Army catered superbly with hot drinks and sandwiches, along with the support from Cheshire Police Incident Support Unit, whom provided hot meals which were very much appreciated after being in the elements all day. In total 57 searchers were in attendance, 9 Police Officers, 3 POLSA’s and the Underwater Support Team.

Cheshire Search & Rescue Team's breakdown:

= 9.5hrs dedicated search time
= 15 team members
= 142.5 total man hours
= 255 hrs complete search time for this search to date
= including 142.5hrs on stand-by

Incident Number 07/07

Whilst searching in Delamere Forest for a high priority missing gentleman (see incident 06/07), we received information from Cheshire Police Search Advisors to the effect of an 11 year old boy was mountain biking when he had wandered off from his family. A description was immediately circulated and the young boy was found not far from the location where the team members’ vehicles were parked.

In total it took an astonishing 4 minutes to circulate the description and to locate him.

Our thanks must go to The Salvation Army, The Forestry Commission and Delamere Forest Visitors Centre, along with Buxton MRT and Cheshire Police.

The team was called to Delamere Forest at 14:00 by Cheshire Police to aid in the search of a missing man after his car had been found.

Members from Cheshire Lowland Search and Rescue team, along with Buxton Mountain Rescue Team, National Search and Rescue Dog Association and Cheshire Police (with support from the Police Area Support Group) are Searching Delamere Forest in Cheshire after Mr Matthews vehicle was discovered. Mr Matthews, 50 who is from St Helens in Merseyside went missing on Thursday morning.

So far Cheshire SAR Team has given 112.5 man hours to the search and when the search resumes in the morning (11/11/07) will have given 142.5 stand by hours. More updates on this search will be available tomorrow.

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The team would like to thank Lymm Rotary Club for their hospitality this evening.

Warrington Round Table donated a cheque for £100 to the team.