A major multi-agency search was launched near Middleham yesterday after concerns a missing child may have entered the River Cover.
Fire crews, police, mountain rescue volunteers and a police helicopter were all deployed following reports that a young boy had become separated from their parents and it was unknown whether they had gone into the river.
The alarm was raised at about 5.15pm, prompting firefighters from Leyburn, together with water rescue teams from Richmond and Ripon, to attend the scene.
Leyburn firefighters worked alongside members of Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team to carry out a downstream search of the riverbanks, while the specialist swift water rescue teams from Richmond and Ripon positioned themselves on either side of the River Cover to assist with the search.
North Yorkshire Police officers and the National Police Air Service helicopter also attended.
Fortunately, after a short search, the child was found safe and well on a footpath downstream from where they had last been seen.
Fire crews confirmed there was no evidence the youngster had entered the river before being reunited with their parents at the rendezvous point established by the emergency services.
No injuries were reported.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Leyburn and both Richmond and Ripon’s water rescue teams mobilised to reports of a young person who had accidentally been separated from their parents and it was unknown if they had entered the River Cover.
“After a short time searching, the young person was found safe and well on a footpath downstream from where they were last seen and showed no signs of ever being in the river. They were taken back to a rendezvous point where police and fire crews had begun their search to reunite with their parents.”
Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team also highlighted the successful outcome and the close working between emergency services.
A spokesperson said: “The team was called by the police to search for a missing child near the river in Wensleydale. A very quick response by all agencies and fortunately the missing child was located safe and well.
“Another example of multi-agency working and the wider role of mountain rescue.”
