TWO TEENAGERS ARE RESCUED FROM CLIFFS

Brixham Coastguard received a 999 call at 4.00 p.m. on 3 June 2001 to report that the two eighteen year olds were stuck up a 100ft loose shale cliff at Stoke Beach, near Newton Ferrers.

Two young men became stuck whilst attempting to escape the rising tide.

Coastguards immediately requested Yealm Coastguard Rescue Team and the Fire Service Rope and Rescue Team from Plymouth along with the Rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose to attend the scene. When the Coastguard team and the Rope and Rescue Team arrived on scene they found that one of the two was 14 ft from the top of the cliff whilst the other was further down. One of the two was immediately recovered from the cliff by the helicopter whilst the teams had to make the other secure due to the unstable conditions before he too could be winched to safety.

Alf Tupper, Brixham Coastguard Watch Manager said, "We would urge members of the public to check the time of high water before venturing onto the coastline. By doing this they will avoid being cut off by the tide and needing to take desperate action in order to remain safe.