Six rescued after becoming trapped by tide on cliff in Devon
Two
adults and four children rescued from cliff at Putsborough Sands, Devon, yesterday
(4 May) after becoming cut off by the tide.
HM
Coastguard received a 999 call at around 4.10pm from a member of the public
reporting that they could see six people around 40ft up the cliff. Although the
group were showing no obvious signs of being in any distress, with the tide
fast coming in, it appeared that they had no way to get to safety and would
require assistance.
Croyde
and Mortehoe Coastguard Rescue Teams, RNLI Appledore Inshore lifeboat attended
the scene to help the people to safety. HM Coastguard search and rescue
helicopter based at St Athan was also called in to assist and, with the RNLI
lifeboat remaining on scene to provide safety cover, all six people were
winched off the cliff. The helicopter then landed at the top of the cliff to
drop them off the with the waiting Coastguard rescue teams, where they were all
confirmed to be safe and well with no injuries.
Gavin Ibbotson, Maritime Operations Officer at Falmouth Coastguard, said ‘The member of the public did absolutely the right thing to call the Coastguard when they thought someone may be in difficulty and needed assistance.
Gavin Ibbotson, Maritime Operations Officer at Falmouth Coastguard, said ‘The member of the public did absolutely the right thing to call the Coastguard when they thought someone may be in difficulty and needed assistance.
We
would urge people to please remember the tides - it's so easy to get caught out
by quickly moving tide. You can now download apps for your phones that
can help keep you safe.'
SAFETY
ADVICE
Always
check the weather and tidal conditions before you set out so that you can
prepare accordingly.
Find
local coastal weather and local tide times at: www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast_and_sea/tide_tables
Don’t
take risks, but if you do get into trouble or see someone else in difficulty
call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.