Police officers use thermal imaging to help rescue a missing pensioner (76), who was trapped in thick heathland brambles.

  • After being trapped in brambles, a pensioner was afraid for his life and officers rescued him 
  • Lynton Bradley (76), walked off the Warwickshire walking track on 12/11
  • Police use thermal imaging to save the pensioner who is missing










Thermal imaging was used by police officers to save a pensioner that had become trapped in brambles. He couldn’t get out and was afraid for his safety. 

Lynton Bradley, 76, had been walking near Coleshill, Warwickshire on 12 November when he strayed off course and fell into a ditch, which left him tangled in brambles in dense shrubland.

Video footage posted to Twitter by West Midlands Police shows West Midlands Police’s specialist search team rescuing the retired man from woodland using thermal imagery from a helicopter.

Lynton Bradley, 76, had been walking near Coleshill, Warwickshire on 12 November when he strayed off course and fell into a ditch. He was located by thermal imaging

Lynton Bradley was 76 years old and had been walking around Coleshill in Warwickshire when he wandered off-track and into a ditch. The thermal imaging of the area helped to locate Lynton Bradley.

The video, which has been posted on the West Midlands Police Twitter, shows the force's specialist search unit rescuing the pensioner after tracing his phone signal

This video was posted by the West Midlands Police Twitter and shows how the specialist search unit of the force saved the pensioner following tracing his mobile signal.

He was stuck and Mr Bradley called Steve (from Peterborough) to tell him he was stuck in a ditch and could not get out.

His son contacted West Midlands Police who managed to trace Mr Bradley’s phone signal shortly before the battery went flat, which pointed to a wooded area near the M6 and Collector Road, Warwickshire.

Officers used thermal imaging from a helicopter to detect a heat source down an embankment, which showed Mr Bradley curled into a ball.

After he was missing for three hours, PCs Lee Parker & Adam Kendall located Mr Bradley.  

The officer told him that he was ready to give up.   

As officers approach Mr Bradley in the video, you can hear them saying, “Are you sure that you are warm enough?” I will put the coat on you. 

It can be seen helping Bradley out of the undergrowth by removing the brambles from his feet.

He is consoled by one of his officers who says, “Are you okay?” You’re okay. We are here for you. Don’t worry.’

He adds, “Has the battery on your smartphone run low?” That you brought it is an amazing thing. This is how we discovered you. This is how we tracked your phone. Your phone was tracked. 

His son contacted West Midlands Police who managed to trace Mr Bradley's phone signal shortly before the battery went flat, and officers posted the footage to show the importance of having a phone with you at all times

West Midlands Police was contacted by his son. They were able trace Mr Bradley’s mobile signal moments before the battery died. Officers also posted footage of the incident to illustrate the value and importance to have your phone at all times.

The unit can be seen helping Mr Bradley through the undergrowth and freeing his feet from the brambles before getting him checked in an ambulance

This unit is seen helping Mr Bradley to clear the undergrowth before releasing his feet from the brambles.

Bradley lost his show during the fall. Paramedics treated him at the spot, with minor scratches and sore feet.

Steve Bradley, the son of the deceased, later expressed appreciation for the efforts made by the officers during the search.

He said that his father called him to tell me that he was in serious trouble. Peterborough, where I reside. When I arrived at the scene I was shocked by how many officers were there to assist me.

“It was unbelievable when I saw his torchlights. They appeared along with him.

“”Another time in there by himself and it could have been a completely different story. He was saved by the officers, and I am grateful.

“One of the men said they had spent a year searching for him and it really hit me how passionately they wanted to help him. 

Sarah Burton, Chief Superintendent, said that Lynton was found by a team effort. The search was difficult because of the vast terrain with dense undergrowth, thickly set boundaries, deep trenches and water.

Their professionalism, dedication, and devotion undoubtedly saved their lives. The officers should be extremely proud of the actions they took.

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