A VULNERABLE man whose disappearance in Weymouth sparked a major search was plucked to safety from remote marshland in a dramatic coastguard helicopter rescue.

The challenging night-time operation, which rescuers say would not have been possible without the helicopter, highlights just how vital a local aircraft is, campaigner say.

Portland faces losing its helicopter in 2017 as part of government plans which will see air cover provided from bases further away.

The aircraft was called into action on Friday during the search for 63-year-old Douglas Joyner who had been last seen leaving his care home in Spa Road on Thursday.

Police and volunteers from Dorset Search and Rescue (DorSar) had spent the day combing the area including Radipole Lake.

The Dorset Police helicopter had also been involved.

Later in the day, the coastguard was asked to help and the helicopter and a ground team were scrambled.

The search focused between Lodmoor RSPB reserve and Manor roundabout as a mobile phone signal was traced there.

Using infra-red heat-seeking equipment the helicopter picked up something near Two Mile Coppice and was able to direct teams on the ground to the source.

It turned out to be a cold and distressed Mr Joyner in the marshland.

The terrain was described as ‘very rough and overgrown’ with open drains nearby and the only option was to winch Mr Joyner to safety in a stretcher.

Portland Coastguard watch manager Maddy Davey said: “This was a tricky rescue operation, with teams working in the dark and in an inaccessible area.

“But through working together with other emergency services and rescue organisations, we were thankfully able to locate this man and take him to safety.”

Mr Joyner was later treated in hospital for hypothermia.

DorSar operations officer Trevor Antell said: “It was excellent work by DorSar search teams, coastguards and police.

“Without the coastguard helicopter and its technology the person wouldn’t have been found.”

Helicopter campaigner Roger MacPherson said he was ‘extremely happy’ to know Mr Joyner was safe.

He knows him from walking his dog around Radipole and meeting him occasionally.

Mr MacPherson added: “It’s a case of the helicopter coming to the rescue again and a successful outcome, something which I don’t think wouldn’t have happened it had to come from further away.

“This guy was suffering hypothermia which can be a killer so it was vital the helicopter got to him quickly.

“It just show how vital it is, and not just for sea rescues.”