Teenage boy rescued from Kent cliff (with footage)

A fourteen year old boy was rescued by the UK Coastguard after becoming stuck on a cliff at Capel, near Folkestone, Kent on Saturday (9 July 2016).

Credit Folkestone Coastguard Rescue Team
UK Coastguard received a report from Kent Police at about 4.30pm after they’d received a call from two of the young teenager’s friends requesting help after he became stuck on the cliff.  It appeared that they had all tried to descend the cliff together, two of them slid down and the remaining boy became stuck on steep ledge unable to move any further.  

Folkestone Coastguard Rescue Team, who are trained as specialist rope technicians were sent to the location – however, due to the weather closing in, the difficult access and fears of the boy getting hypothermia,  the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Lydd was called in.  Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the South East Coast Ambulance Service were also on scene. 

The Coastguard helicopter winched the boy to safety and he was airlifted to William Harvey Hospital for treatment.

UK Coastguard Duty Controller, Peter Davies said:  ‘Our Coastguard helicopter was able to rescue the young boy and take him to the hospital for treatment. We understand that he was with two other friends, but had become stuck on the cliff after his friends had slid down.  Thankfully, his friends did the right thing by raising the alarm to Kent Police, who immediately alerted the Coastguard.  The friends assisted us by giving us accurate information which brought about a swift rescue.

'Our advice to the public when using cliff and coastal paths is to make sure that you are properly equipped for walking along coastal paths. In particular remember to wear sturdy shoes or boots and check the weather forecast before you set out. Do not attempt to climb up or down cliffs, or take any short cuts unless you are properly equipped and trained to do so. And above all, don’t attempt self-rescue.  Remember, if you get into difficulty, or see anyone else in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. That’s what we’re here for.’




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