RNLI lifeguards assist in rescue of children stranded on cliff at Challaborough

The incident began when Falmouth Coastguard received a 999 call reporting a child stranded on a cliff face. RNLI Senior Lifeguard Noah Hindley immediately briefed his team: Senior Lifeguard Matt Liptrott and Lifeguard Will Keetley, and preparations were made to launch the Rescue Watercraft (RWC).

The team launched the RWC into challenging conditions. With winds gusting force 7 and wave heights of 8–10 feet, Matt and Will navigated the 3km journey to Challaborough while Kingsbridge, Bigbury and Yealm Coastguard Rescue Teams prepared for a technical cliff rescue.

On arrival, Matt and Will began a search from the water while Noah coordinated communications with the Coastguard. Conditions were extremely difficult due to strong winds, heavy swell and breaking waves. Moments into the search, Will spotted people signalling from the cliff top and identified one casualty. A subsequent update confirmed that two children were in distress on the cliff face.

With only one visible from the water, Will swam ashore to conduct a shoreline search while Matt remained on the RWC to maintain communication links. On reaching the base of the cliff, Will located the second child approximately 25 metres below the first, out of sight from teams above and extremely distressed.

Will provided reassurance to the child, relayed precise location details to Coastguard rescue teams and guided the children’s father, who had attempted to reach his child, from danger to a place of safety. His early identification of the lower casualty and continued support were vital in stabilising the situation.

Key information passed to the Coastguard enabled cliff rescue teams to accurately position their rope systems. Will remained at the base of the cliff, issuing safety instructions and maintaining communication until the rope rescue was established.

Both children were successfully recovered by HM Coastguard Rescue Teams and assessed on scene by a community first responder and Coastguard medics. Although shaken and with minor cuts, both were otherwise safe and well. They had been exploring when they became cut off by the tide and attempted to climb the cliff to escape the incoming waves.

After nearly an hour on scene, Matt and Will navigated the RWC back through the challenging sea conditions to Bantham.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.