A foreign national, thought to be Hungarian, sparked a wide-scale search and rescue operation this afternoon (Monday) after calling Southern Vectis to report he was stuck on a cliff in Sandown.
Bembridge RNLI Inshore Lifeboat; Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team; Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team and Coastguard Rescue 104 helicopter were all tasked to the Sandown Bay area shortly after 13:00, when the man called the Island’s bus company to report he was stuck half way up a cliff face.
It has emerged that the tourist did not know who to contact to report his plight, but had a bus timetable with him. In a bid to summon help, the man called Southern Vectis who in turn alerted HM Coastguard.
With little detail to go on, a full scale search and rescue operation was launched, but thankfully the man managed to self-rescue and made himself aware to Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team at Yaverland car park.
The gentleman had been attempting to climb up the cliff between Red Cliff and Culver Down.
Emergency teams have been stood down and the foreign national has continued his visit on the Island – by walking to the nearest bus stop.
