Thanks to the various readers who reported this rescue to us over the weekend. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency tell us more, in their own words. Ed
Three young men from the Manchester area were rescued by the Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team yesterday after becoming stuck in three different places on the face of the high chalk cliffs at Culver Down, on the east side of the Isle of Wight.
The young men, aged 16, 17 and 18, were trying to travel round the headland from Whitecliffe Bay to Sandown Bay when the tide overtook their efforts and forced them to climb further up the cliffs. They had been advised locally that they could get all the way around the headland at low tide.
Call to the Coastguard sparked rescue
The youths called 999 at about 5.30 pm and spoke to Solent Coastguard who requested the Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team to search for, and rescue the three. The Bembridge RNLI lifeboat was also requested to launch.
The young men were located, about 40 feet from the bottom of the cliffs. Two different coastguard rescue officers were then lowered down the 300-foot cliffs to rescue the teenagers from three different positions on the chalk face.
All three were lowered into the lifeboat, then taken back to Bembridge Lifeboat Station. Other than a few cuts and bruises, they were none the worse for their ordeal.
Difficult rescue
Martin Groom, one of the two coastguards who rescued the teenagers said, “The three young men were in very tricky positions for us to get at, since they were spread along the cliffs and we needed to move along the chalk face for each one. They had naturally moved into the folds and gullies of the cliff where they were less likely to fall.
“This made it difficult to get in to them to put them into our harness. However, our gear allows us to manoeuvre up and down independently allowing us to carry out the rescues”.
Lucky to call when they did
Bembridge Coastguard Station Officer Jim Roberts said, “These three lads were fortunate that we were able to get to them quickly to rescue them. We were pleased that they did have the presence of mind to call 999 and ask for the coastguard when they realised that they needed help.
“Don’t forget that you can do this even if you have no credit on your phone or if the phone is locked. Tell the coastguard what the problem is and where you are. You may need to stay on the line to direct rescuers to the scene.
“If you are not sure of times for tides, do not take risks. Always check the weather and tidal conditions before you set out.”
Image: Used with the kind permission of Mary Case
