On Wednesday 14th October 2015 we reported briefly within our website on our Trailing Search Dog Handler Steve Nelson and his Trailing Search Dog Boris, deploying to North Wales in regards to a developing search operation in the general Beddgelert area.

Steve with Boris, who are members of SARDA Wales, departed the Bolton area at 10.40hrs, arriving at the Porthmadog Base / HQ of Aberglaslyn MRT at 13.30hrs.

Steve and Boris deployed to commence a trail at 14.15hrs, completing and being debriefed by 16.47hrs.

Steve then went on to meet his usual navigator Elaine Gilliland – who was unavailable for this search operation, for a joint meeting together at Colomendy, Mold, with other organising members of this years MREW Party Leaders November residential course weekend.

The below details of the search operation Steve and Boris were involved in, is from the website of Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team;

The Team were alerted at 18:10hrs on Tuesday the 13th of October by North Wales Police requesting assistance to search for a high risk missing person in the Beddgelert area.

The 64 year old male had been reported missing having not been seen for a few days, and his disappearance was described as being ‘out of character’ by his loved ones.

The male’s vehicle was located unattended in a rural area close to Llyn Dinas, Beddgelert quickly giving rise to the need for specialist search assets.

A search effort was quickly ensued, with the Team’s specialist Search Managers Working hard at their Headquarters in Porthmadog to develop high probability search areas, coupled with the deployment of several Team Members and a Search Dog Team from the Search and Rescue Dog Association into the area.

A Painstaking search of the area went on in the darkness until the early hours but unfortunately, nothing was found.

The search resumed promptly at first light on Wednesday the 14th of October and involved several members of Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team, Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, RAF Valley Mountain Rescue Team and the Search and Rescue Dog Association.

Assistance was also sought by North Wales Police Officers, a helicopter from the National Police Air Service and the North West Police Underwater Search and Marine Unit.

A total of around 60 personnel were involved in what was now a major search operation.

The searches continued until 19:00hrs where sadly, a body was located in the search area by members of the North West Police Underwater Search and Marine Unit.

All resources were therefore stood down at 20:00hrs.

The Team’s condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased at this difficult time.