Friday 3 August 2012

Swanage Cliff Rescue Team Deployed


Swanage Coastguard were 'Team paged' today for a person last seen on the edge of the cliff up on The Downs above Peveril Point.

A lady in a pink top was sat on the edge of the cliff and was unresponsive when a Swanage Town Council groundsman asked if everything was ok; he returned one minute later and the lady was gone - he called 999 and asked for the Coastguard.


Cliff Rescue Team ready to deploy again.

The team were on scene in 6 minutes and deployed a cliff rescue technician to ascertain whether the lady could be seen. Due to the nature of the cliffs and a number of blind spots the Swanage RNLI Inshore boat was asked to attend and put two of their crew ashore - another quick response from them.

Other rescue assets in the area were deployed including Maritime Coastguard Agency Boat - MCA Osprey along with Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 104 which was in the Weymouth area transiting back to Lee on Solent. A full search was undertaken.

Coastguard R106,  MCA Osprey and Swanage ILB (RNLI)

Although the Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team was stood down with nothing found - the initial information given was with good intent and matched what the team saw on the ground - lots of broken grass and slip marks including what appeared to be more marks half way down the cliff. Very odd.

The cliffs are a lot steeper than many people think!
(Photo:- Coastguard Oscar - during training last year)
Thanks to our local Portland MRCC for co-ordinating the rescue again!

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