Emergency services rushed to the aid of two boys stuck on the cliff face above the Man O’ War beach near Durdle Door in Dorset.
This was the same place where a woman in her 40s from Birmingham sadly died in June 2021, after falling down the cliff while trying to make her way down to the beach.
Man O’ War Bay
The incident happened at Man O’ War Bay in the afternoon of Wednesday 11th August 2021, while the Lulworth Coastguard team were helping a swimmer who had injured their leg at Worbarrow Bay.
The nearby Wyke Coastguard team were paged to help and with the swimmer now in the care of the ambulance service, the Lulworth Coastguard team also made their way to the Man O’ War Bay, along with the Kimmeridge team.
Could blow the teenagers off the edge
On arrival at the scene, the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 175, which was training in the area, was requested to see whether the boys could be winched from the cliff.
However it was decided that the downdraft could blow the teenagers off the edge, so the plan to rescue them by a rope was actioned.
“Recovered them safely back to the top”
Kimmeridge Coastguard reported:
“Technical rescue teams and crews from Dorset and Wilts Fire and Rescue also assisted, as did Dorset Police who helped with crowd control.
“As always the staff from Lulworth Estate did a great job helping keep spectators back from the cliff edge and clearing the beach below.
“With the coastguard rope rescue technician having been lowered and secured the two casualties from immediate danger, a full cliff rig was set up and working closely together all teams recovered them safely back to the top.
“…A very well executed rescue involving a great multi agency response, with everyone working extremely well together.”
“Tie up resources from multiple emergency services”
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said:
“We strongly advise anyone thinking of adventuring up onto the cliff not to.
“Not only are you risking your life by doing so, but these actions tie up resources from multiple emergency services.”
