Submitted by aled on Mon, 23/03/2009 - 22:35
Posted in
Early on the morning of Sunday 22nd March, 2009, Gwent Police asked Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team for assistance in the search for a missing elderly gent in Tredegar.
The team responded with a number of members postponing their Mothers Day arrangements to help in the urgent search for Mr Rose, a frail and "easily confused" 86-year old man. The elderly gentleman had been missing since earlier on Saturday and police were at that time concerned for the gentleman's wellbeing. Responding to Tredegar Police Station, the team set about searching the area around Tredegar alongside a number of police officers. Also involved in the search was the police helicopter and two SARDA search dogs.
Shortly before lunchtime, Gwent Police involved the media and asked the public to report any sightings of the gentleman in or around Tredegar on the previous day. With most of the reports from the public being discounted by police during their enquiries concern was growing and Mountain Rescue involvement was increased with other teams asked to assist. However, before any other teams could be deployed reports came in from one of the SARDA dog handlers that they had found a man who they believed to be Mr. Rose and that he was unfortunately already deceased. Police then took control of the scene and arranged for the family to be informed. At this time Gwent Police are not treating the death as suspicious.
With all of our resources stood down, team members returned to their Mothers' day. Although this was a succesful find, the elation from the find was muted by the unfortunate situation surrounding the find.