Wiltshire Search & Rescue has taken on a bespoke Isuzu D-Max to help find vulnerable and missing people in times of crisis.

The pick-up truck has been equipped with emergency response equipment including 360 degree work lights to aid night missions, hazard beacons, an electric power winch, and a multi-frequency two-way radio.

The vehicle, which also features low power consumption LED cabin lights, a sliding stretcher mounting for patient transport and a 240V inverter, was delivered to the organisation by Fussell Wadman Isuzu.

Adrian Sawyer, chairman of Wiltshire Search and Rescue, said: “The new 4x4 allows us to be even more responsive over rough ground and in the very rural and isolated parts of the county that we are often called to.

“It has been a long process of planning, fund-raising, procuring and now kitting out the vehicle, and it’s testament to the hard work of many of the team that we can finally unveil the new vehicle.

“Our role takes us to some very isolated places and having this new vehicle will give the volunteers even more capability when our community needs us most.”

Wiltshire Search and Rescue is a voluntary organisation set up by Wiltshire Police and currently has 75 volunteers.

The primary role of the D-Max, which was named as Pick Up of the Year for the second consecutive time at the 2019 Commercial Fleet Awards, will be to provide help and support to find vulnerable and missing people and allows emergency crews to reach remote areas in all conditions.

Wiltshire Search and Rescue also supports the emergency services with other callouts such as transporting key medical staff to emergencies in times of severe weather (such as snow) and also get involved in water rescue.

It currently has 75 volunteers and last year they dedicated more than 28,000 hours supporting Wiltshire Police and other emergency services.

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