Police drone finds missing man stuck in Norfolk marshes
75-year-old was spotted from the air more than 21 hours after he disappeared
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A police drone found a 75-year-old man stuck in marshes nearly 24 hours after he went missing on a family walk in Norfolk.
Peter Pugh became trapped among dense reed beds after he was separated from the group at a beach near Titchwell, at 5.10pm on Saturday.
Norfolk Police, lifeboat crews and the coastguard searched the area overnight, but they only spotted Mr Pugh when a drone was sent up into the air at 2.35pm on Sunday.
Sergeant Danny Leach, who piloted the drone, guided a coastguard team and firefighters to the deep muddy creed where he was stuck.
Mr Pugh, from Brancaster, was given first aid before a coastguard helicopter arrived to winch him out of the marshland.
He was taken by air ambulance to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, where he was treated for hypothermia.
Rescuers said the drone was pivotal in saving his life.
Sergeant Alex Bucher, who helped co-ordinate the search operation, said: “There is no doubt that without the police drone we would not have been able to locate him in the time we did.
"The police drone allows us to search areas that are difficult to access and within close range where a helicopter may not be able to get.
“Approximately 50 people were directly involved with this search operation and it was through their dedication and hard work we were able to save this man’s life.”
Norfolk Police first trialled the use of drones last year to help search for missing people, obtain crime scene photography and investigate rural crime.
The force has two drone units, which can stay in the air for 20 minutes at a time and fly in winds of up to 50mph.
Norfolk’s police and crime commissioner, Lorne Green, described the rescue operation as “a remarkable achievement”.
“What a fantastic example of what can be achieved when our agencies work together and our police have the right tools for the job,” he added.
“Having pledged to give our officers the 21st century tools, including drones, that they need to keep our county safe, it’s incidents like this that demonstrate just how relevant that pledge was and continues to be.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments