The police helicopter was over Sidmouth on Tuesday night searching for a missing man from Woodbury.
The helicopter was heard hovering over the Manstone Avenue and Howarth Close areas of Sidmouth at around 11pm as police searched for the man, who was in his 30s.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the helicopter search was called off after the missing man was found safe and well nearby.
A police spokeswoman said: “The helicopter was up to assist in the search for a missing man in his 30s from Woodbury.
“He was located safe and well near Newton Poppleford.”
