RNLI rescue seven people cut off by incoming tide
Berwick- upon-Tweed lifeboats were paged at 2.06 pm on 25 September 2022 by H M Coastguard with reports of seven people trapped at the base of a cliff by the incoming tide.
The all-weather Mersey class and the inshore D class lifeboats were underway in eight minutes and proceeded to Berwick Haven on the north side of Greenses Harbour.
The inshore lifeboat located the casualties and once on scene, Helmsman Robbie Skelly assessed the situation with his crew and relayed it back to the Coxswain on the all-weather lifeboat.
Due to the fact that there were seven people and four of them young children, Coxswain Robert Frost made decision for the inshore lifeboat to transfer everyone to the all-weather lifeboat based on everyone’s safety.
The tide was still filling, and although they were on a ledge there was still a risk of one of them falling off causing potential injury and the cliff was too steep for young children to climb up.
Initially there had been eight people but one of the adults had managed to scramble up the cliffs and raise the alarm.
Once all Casualties had been brought on board the all-weather lifeboat it made haste over to the Berwick-upon-Tweed Dock.
On arrival, Berwick-upon-Tweed HM Coastguard were on the scene and helped the casualties get ashore.
This was a great example of multi agency team work and a very quick response with a good outcome.
Anyone going to the beach can get information and advice on the RNLI website about the 'Respect the Water Campaign'.
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