Donate now

Hartlepool RNLI search for man trapped in beach cave.

Lifeboats News Release

Hartlepool RNLI volunteers were paged at 10.54pm on Sunday 24th January by Humber Coastguard to reports of an adult male trapped in a cave at Blackhall Rocks by the rising tide.

RNLI/Tom Collins

Hartlepool RNLI all weather lifeboat 'Betty Huntbatch' heading out to sea on Sunday evening to take part in the search at Blackhall Rocks.
Download image
The inshore lifeboat was launched at 11.11pm and arrived at the scene of the incident at 11.23pm followed shortly by the all weather lifeboat where a search of the shoreline then took place.

Hartlepool RNLI coxswain Robbie Maiden said 'Whilst searching the shoreline in sub zero temperatures we also released five white para flares to illuminate the area. Fortunately we were later informed that the casualty had been traced back to his home and we were stood down at midnight by Humber Coastguard.
Once again it was a great response by my volunteer crew members who left the comfort of their warm homes and families to turn out an absolutely freezing cold night to take part in the search along with the local Coastguard team during the incident.'

The lifeboats returned to the Ferry Road lifeboat station at 12.15am where they were refuelled and made ready for service by 12.50am


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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Tom Collins
Lifeboat Press Officer, Hartlepool Lifeboat Station

Categories