The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and HM Coastguard have been mobilised to Culver Down near Sandown this evening (Monday) where 2 persons are understood to be stuck on a cliff.
Several fire appliances from across the Island, Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team and Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 175 are all on scene with more resources thought to be en-route.
The alarm was raised at just gone 20:30.
UPDATE @ 20:18 – Coastguard Rescue 175 is working to rescue 2 people who are stuck several hundred feet up Culver Cliff, close to Red Cliff.
1 person has already been successfully winched from their location and landed safely on the downland, where Coastguard Rescue Officers from Bembridge are taking care of any casaulties.
Ventnor Coasrguard Rescue Team have also been tasked to the incident as have Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat. Paramedics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service are also in attendance.
UPDATE @ 20:32 – The second individual has now also been rescued and landed safely with Coastguard officers.
The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat are standing down from the incident.
UPDATE @ 20:47 – 2 males aged in their 20’s – 1 from the Isle of Wight and 1 from the mainland – have escaped their ordeal without injury, Island Echo can confirm.
It has been explained that the 2 men were trying to walk from Yaverland to Whitecliff Bay when they got cut off by the tide. Realising they were in a difficult situation, they climbed up the cliff and became stuck around half way up at approximately 150ft.
It’s thought the men called Police, who in turn alerted the Fire & Rescue Service. HM Coastguard were then alerted also.
Amazingly, neither of the casaulties have been injured and they are now making their way home with reletives.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency are warning locals and tourists alike not to climb cliffs unless you are trained, well equipped and know that they are stable.
LIVE VIDEO – This video was filmed live from the scene (apologies for the shakey start to the video).
Several hundred feet? There’s nothing like a bit of exaggeration!
Spell check not working then tonight
A couple of missed letters is a small price to pay for news as it is happening – quite literally. These incidents are fast-paced, stressful and very demanding.
So who pays for all this ?