Camper rescued from Seaford Head cliff

Credit MCA/Newhaven Coastguard
A camper who pitched his tent very close to the edge of Seaford Head cliff, east Sussex had to be rescued by the Newhaven Coastguard search and rescue team on Tuesday (29 December).

Newhaven Coastguard search and rescue team battled 40-knot winds and rainfall and attached one of their rescuers to a safety harness to bring the camper, his tent and equipment to a safer location. 

The call came in to the HM Coastguard from someone who had been walking in the area and had seen the camper pitch his tent just ten feet away from the edge of 260ft high Seaford Head cliff.

Trevor Cutler, Station Officer for Newhaven Coastguard search and rescue team who attended the incident said:

'Never pitch your tent on the edge of a cliff in high winds.  The wind was so strong on Tuesday night it could have easily dragged this camper over the edge, and with all the rainfall we’ve had recently the cliffs are very, very soft. Cracks that have opened up through the summer period are now water-logged making the edges very vulnerable.  Cliff edges become even more dangerous during the hours of darkness when it’s often difficult to see the edge and you can easily just take a step into the void.

'In fact, the wind was so strong on Tuesday night it was as much as I could do to stand up.  We had to put one of our team members in a safety harness to reach the camper safely.  Our plea to the public is to always stay well away from the edge of a cliff, especially during high winds.  If you, or a friend does get into difficulty remember to call 999 and ask for the coastguard.'

Photograph credit:  MCA/Newhaven Coastguard

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