A MOUNTAIN rescue team was called out last night to help a semi-conscious man who had been found in woodland.

The man was discovered in Abbot Hag Wood, near Rievaulx Abbey, near Helmsley in North Yorkshire shortly before 10pm last night.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service called Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team to assist with the emergency response at about 9.54pm, due to difficulties in moving him across the hilly, woodland terrain.

The mountain rescue team sent two team land rovers, volunteers and medical and rescue equipment.

A spokesperson said: “Upon the team’s arrival the man was found to be disorientated and was given protection from the cold as he had apparently been there for some hours.

“He was then wrapped in a mountain rescue casualty bag and lifted onto a rescue stretcher.

“Owing to the sloping nature of the woodland and as conditions underfoot were very difficult due to rain and mud a ‘back up’ rope system was attached to the stretcher which was then carried and ‘sledged’ for approximately 200 metres down to the roadside and the waiting ambulance.

“The team would like to express their thanks go to local farm staff who assisted with local knowledge and access across their land.”

The incident involved 23 volunteers and lasted about two and a half hours.