Incident report

It has still to be determined whether this incident was a malicious hoax or the product of a disturbed mind shouting for attention but it resulted in over forty mountain rescuers tramping the Peak District’s eastern rock outcrop edges throughout Saturday night and Sunday morning. 

Mountain rescue became involved when police asked for assistance in a search for a 37 year old male who had made mobile phone calls suggesting that he may harm himself. He was believed to be on open ground between the Derwent Valley and Hathersage.  Buxton and Edale teams responded with forty personnel and six search dogs whilst police from two forces used their own officers and a helicopter in a search of all the footpaths between Derwent Edge in the North and Surprise View in the South.  It was a massive needle in a haystack undertaking hampered by intermittent low cloud and gusting winds. 

When all the initial areas had been searched and without further firm information the mountain rescue search was stood down at 04.00 hours on Sunday morning.   Police enquiries will continue in an effort to locate the man who has previously initiated similar searches.

Photos:  Police and mountain rescue search controllers plot the progress of the incident at Edale MRT’s base in the Hope Valley.