Minehead RNLI help during a round-Britain walker’s early setback
A Coventry woman’s planned adventure of walking all the way around the coast of Britain came to an unscheduled halt after just three miles as she found herself trapped by the rising tide – and calling 999 for help.
The 28-year old set out this morning from Minehead, the start of the South West Coast Path which runs for 630 miles to Poole.
But instead of keeping to the official route she attempted the first lap to Porlock along a boulder beach at the foot of 800-foot cliffs.
And just under a mile from Hurlestone Point she found the tide cutting off her advance and her retreat.
Minehead’s volunteer RNLI crew launched the station’s D class and located her within 10 minutes, but with a moderate swell running extricating her was far from simple.
The crew dropped the anchor and veered down the line to as close to the beach as possible and crew member Karla Thresher swam ashore to help the woman back aboard. She was landed at Porlock Weir, shaken but unhurt.
D class helm Phil Sanderson said: “She was carrying an enormous backpack and how she managed to get so far I have no idea.
'That stretch of shoreline is best avoided unless you know it well. The tide comes right up to the cliffs in places and there are only two locations where it’s possible to climb up – and then only if you’re pretty fit.'
RNLI media contacts
Further information from:
Chris Rundle, Press Office, RNLI Minehead: 01643 703371/07786 630523 or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.