Two people are missing and two are rushed to hospital after boat capsizes at reservoir in Dartmoor
- Major rescue operation is underway after a group of adults were thrown into lake
- Two members of the group were rushed to hospital and two treated at the scene
- But two adults remain unaccounted for as the reservoir is closed off to public
Two people are missing and a further two have been rushed to hospital after their boat capsized on a reservoir in Dartmoor.
A major rescue operation is underway after a group of adults were thrown into Roadford Lake near Okehampton, Devon, while sailing earlier today.
Two members of the group were rushed to hospital in Plymouth – their conditions are currently unknown.
A further two adults were treated at the scene and discharged by paramedics, but two remain unaccounted for, according to police.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: ‘Police were informed at 1.30pm today that a boat had capsized whilst sailing on Roadford Lake near Okehampton and that a number of people were in the water.
Police at the scene in Dartmoor, Devon, earlier today after responding to reports that a boat had capsized
Two adults remain missing, while a further two were rushed to a hospital in Plymouth earlier today
A view of Roadford Lake Reservoir, where a major rescue operation is underway after a boat capsized earlier today
‘Coastguard, Fire, ambulance and police are in attendance as well as support from the Coastguard helicopter and a rescue operation is currently underway.’
The statement added: ‘Two people were safely recovered from the water and have been checked over and discharged by paramedics at the scene.
‘Two people have been recovered and taken to Derriford Hospital for treatment. Their conditions are not confirmed.
A further two people remain missing at this time and searches are ongoing. Next-of-kin have been informed.
‘Those travelling in the group were all adults and believed to all be local to Devon. The boat is being secured and the scene is being managed by police.
‘A road closure has been put in place at the activity centre to allow access for the relevant services.’
The man-made reservoir in the Wolf Valley is the largest area of fresh water in the south west of England and is the main water supply for the region.
It is also operated by South West Lakes for kayaking, sailing, canoeing, paddle boarding and fishing, and plays host to a number of other activities on land.
The reservoir is at Broadwoodwidger, near Lifton, on the Devon-Cornwall border.
South West Lakes say they have had to close the lake and were unable to take any bookings for hire or launches.