Thirty six people rescued after getting lost on coastal walk

Thirty four teenagers and two adults were rescued last night (6 June 2016) and taken to safety after getting lost during a coastal walk at St Margaret’s Bay, near Dover.

 UK Coastguard received a request for assistance from the Kent Police at 9.00pm after the group contacted them to say they were lost somewhere between St Margaret’s Bay and Dover Harbour after getting disorientated on a coastal walk.

The UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Lydd, Dover RNLI lifeboat, two Walmer RNLI lifeboats, Langdon Coastguard Rescue Team and the Ambulance service were sent to the area.

The group was located and brought to safety by the lifeboats and the helicopter.

UK Coastguard Senior Maritime Operations Officer Richard Cockerill said: 'When we received the call, Dover lifeboat, two lifeboats from Walmer, the Coastguard rescue helicopter and Langdon Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked to locate the school party from London.  The group was advised to switch on their mobile phone lights to help us locate them.  The group was located by one of the Walmer lifeboats in an area of active cliff falls and also spotted by the helicopter using the forward looking infra red camera.  All thirty six people were recovered to safety by lifeboat and helicopter.'

Alex Brown, Winch Operator for the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Lydd said:  ‘The FLIR camera was working fantastically so we were able to locate the group quickly.  The majority were rescued by lifeboat however, we did land on some rocks to rescue five people and brought them back to Dover Coastguard station.'

The Coxswain of Dover RNLI, Mark Finnis, said: 'The group were caught out by a rising tide.  Thankfully the quick and well co-ordinated search and rescue response meant all thirty six casualties were rescued and were lucky to escape without serious injuries, but they've had a traumatic experience.'

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