A 12-year-old boy was taken to hospital by air ambulance after he slipped and fell into the River Dart at Spitchwick, a popular swimming spot on Dartmoor, on Saturday. The incident occurred around midday on July 11, prompting a swift response from emergency services.
Emergency Response and Road Closure
The Devon Air Ambulance arrived approximately 15 minutes after the incident, and the road was closed for an hour while rescue teams operated. An eyewitness reported that the boy slipped while cliff jumping. The witness said: "The response was quick with lots of help turning up including Dartmoor rangers, Devon and Cornwall Police and paramedics; the roads were closed for an hour but all back to normal now."
Rescue Operation Details
Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Ashburton shared details on Facebook: "We were called on Saturday 11 July to assist following the report of a child hurt diving in to the river at Spitchwick. Team members deployed to help evacuate the 12-year-old boy by stretcher a short distance to a Devon Air Ambulance Trust helicopter. As it was a hot day, the popular swimming and picnic spot was busy. Emergency vehicles needed to block the lane, so team members controlled traffic to the access road until the air ambulance had departed. We wish the child a speedy recovery."
Impact and Safety Reminder
The incident highlights the risks associated with cliff jumping and diving into natural water bodies, especially in busy areas. The Dartmoor National Park Authority often advises visitors to exercise caution when swimming or jumping into rivers, as water depth and hidden obstacles can pose serious dangers. The boy's current condition is not known, but rescue teams have expressed hopes for his swift recovery.
