UPDATED: 2 lifeboats and a Coastguard team are currently involved in a rescue operation at Culver Cliff near Sandown.
Island Echo understands 2 people have become stuck at the rocky foot of the cliff.
Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat, Bembridge RNLI inshore lifeboat and Coastguard Rescue Officers from Bembridge are all on scene with the 2 lifeboats closing in on the casualties.
The incident got underway at around 19:45 with the launch of Bembridge lifeboat.
UPDATE @ 20:50 – Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team have joined colleagues from Bembridge at the top of Culver, where they are preparing to lower a cliff man over the edge.
Further information suggests 2 young males are stuck on a ledge above the water line.
Both lifeboats are standing by whilst Coastguard Teams establish the best way to extricate the casualties.
UPDATE @ 21:20 – With the light fading, the technical rescue operation continues over an hour-and-a-half after the alarm was first raised.
HM Coastguard are now with the casualties and are assessing their condition. They are said to be slightly hypothermic.
Both males are expected to be evacuated by lifeboat shortly.
UPDATE 22:00 – The 2 casualties – both 18-years-old – have been successfully rescued and transferred by lifeboat to Bembridge Lifeboat Station at Lane End, where they are being warmed up.
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service has been requested to attend.
It’s understood the duo were trying to walk from Ryde to Sandown when they become cut off by the tide.
Rescue teams are now standing down from the incident following it’s safe conclusion.
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