This in from George on behalf of Cowes RNLI. Ed
The men, in their fifties, initially took a shore-side route between Thorness and Gurnard after finding that the cliff-top path had been closed because of erosion.
But when some 600 metres west of Gurnard Luck they apparently decided that, closed or not, the path would be a better bet after all. However, their efforts to then climb up the earth and bush covered cliff proved just too much of a challenge.
Emergency services called
Eventually they used a mobile to call Solent coastguards. First on the scene were Needles coastguards and Island firemen, who helped the men regain the rock-strewn shore.
There they were helped onto Cowes lifeboat by two crew members and, together with the coastguards, taken to Trinity Landing, Cowes.
Lifeboat helm Richard O’Callaghan said,
“The men, from Surrey and Sussex and experienced walkers, were very embarrassed about their plight. But their bare legs were covered in cuts and abrasions because of all the brambles on the cliff and they were clearly very tired.
“Neither required medical treatment however, and I understand that after a good night’s sleep at a Cowes hotel they still intend to complete the final leg of their walk, to Ryde.”
The lifeboat was launched at 6.55 pm.
Image: © Used with the kind permission of Julian Winslow
