TWO PEOPLE RESCUED AFTER LANDSLIDE ON SOUTH DEVON BEACH

Two people and a dog have been rescued after being cut off by a landslide.
 
Brixham Coastguard was contacted just before 10.30 this morning, and told that two women, one of whom is six-months pregnant, and a dog were stranded at Ness Cove near Shaldon. The landslide had covered Smuggler’s Tunnel, which is used to access the beach.
 
The Teignmouth Coastguard Rescue Team and Teignmouth RNLI inshore lifeboat were sent to the scene. It was soon established that the sea conditions were too rough and it was too close to rocks to extract them safely via the lifeboat. The cliff was too unstable to carry out a cliff rescue using cliff rescue equipment and there were further difficulties in using a rescue harness with the pregnant lady. The fire service was requested to attend and they used an extended 30 ft ladder to get the two women and their dog to safety. They were then handed over to paramedics to be checked over.

The fire service has since examined the landslide area using a thermal imaging camera along with a rescue dog and confirmed that no other people are at risk.
 
The wind at the time was blowing a north easterly, with gusts up to force 6 (25–30 mph).
 
Peter Davies, Rescue Coordination Centre Manager at Brixham Coastguard said:

"Some sections of the coast around the UK are particularly vulnerable to cliff falls and landslips. Her Majesty’s Coastguard is again advising the public to take great care when walking on cliff paths or along beaches, and take note of any warning signs in place.

"In fact, just a few minutes before this incident we had received a report of another landslip at South Milton near Thurlestone, South Hams. No persons were at risk.
 
"If you get into difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard."

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