BBC News
watch One-Minute World News
Last Updated: Wednesday, 12 March 2008, 19:48 GMT
Lost girl 'playing hide-and-seek'
Jodie and father
Jody Upton-Webb is reunited with her father
A 10-year-old girl who sparked a rescue operation on Dartmoor got lost playing hide-and-seek.

Jody Upton-Webb was found safe and well after going missing on a trip to Burrator reservoir with Prince Rock Primary School in Plymouth.

Dartmoor Rescue Group found her near Norsworthy Bridge at about 1800 GMT, some three hours after going missing.

Jody, cuddled by father Tony who joined the search, told BBC News: "It was very scary, but I feel fine."

She said: "I was in a bog. We were playing hide-and-seek.

"I just want to say thank you to everyone for finding me."

Police called in a 20-strong team from the Dartmoor Rescue Group (DRG) when Jodie was reported missing.

'Fantastic feeling'

A specialised "Hasty Team" consisting of trained fell runners found Jodie after an initial search failed.

Phil McOwan, controller of the Tavistock section of the DRG, said: "It's a fantastic feeling.

"I have two daughters myself and I can't imagine what it would have been like if one of my own daughters had been out there."

He said the search had been hampered by thick undergrowth.

"If it had been dark the search would have been very difficult."

Simon Spry, head teacher at Prince Rock Primary School, said: "We are obviously hugely relieved that she has been found safe and well.

"We alerted the emergency services as soon as Jodie went missing and they arrived on the scene immediately.

"We will now be carrying out a detailed investigation into exactly what happened."



SEE ALSO

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



FEATURES, VIEWS, ANALYSIS
Residents' view as emirate seeks debt repayment delay
What's put a grin on Carla's face this week?
A day in the life of a Bangkok soup vendor

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific