A SPECIALIST search drone operated by firefighters and using a thermal imaging camera was used to find a missing elderly woman in the Trelech area in the early hours of yesterday morning (Thursday, July 23).

Firefighters from Newcastle Emlyn and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR) were called in at just after 2.30am to assist the police in a search for the missing 75-year-old.

Police dog units and the police helicopter were also involved during the incident.

The woman was located at 5.20am by the USAR drone in a nearby field and taken to hospital as a precaution.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service area manager, Justin Lewis, said: “This is another excellent example of partnership working between Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Dyfed Powys Police.

“During this search, we worked alongside their dog handlers and, once we located the woman, we were able to guide them to find the lady in the undergrowth.

“For this missing person search, we deployed a Sky Ranger drone and used its thermal camera to locate the woman, as the lack of light and undergrowth would have made it more difficult to find the individual with a standard camera.”