Late afternoon today at 16:51, GMP paged the team for assistance in a search for a missing 14 year old girl in the Lilford Park area of Leigh.

A team stand-by page at 16:54 was followed by a full callout page at 17:05, for all members to RVP at our Ladybridge Hall Base/HQ.

The young girl had gone missing in the park in the mid-afternoon and with darkness falling was giving police cause for concern.

Along with responding Police resources, at least 20 team members were en-route either direct or to our Base/HQ when the excellent news was received by our Team Leader via Greater Manchester Police, that at circa 17:25 a member of the public, walking their dog in Lilford Park had located the young girl safe & well. (The team’s response to this included mobilising our Aireshelta tents, our Catering trailer and Control trailer. Support Group members were also involved in our initial response).

Our Team Leader Garry Rhodes also liaised directly with SARDA Trail Dog Handler Iain Nicholson of Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team, requesting him and his Trail Dog Mij, alongside Iains wife, Alison and her Search Dog Floss, also of Bowland Pennine MRT. Both Iain and Alison were stood down with the news that the young girl had been found.

Lilford Park is a familiar location to the team for both searches and the occasional rescue.