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Falmouth RNLI volunteers assist in recovering a person stuck on a cliff

Lifeboats News Release

Falmouth’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Robina Nixon Chard was launched on Saturday evening (10 June) at the request of the UK Coastguard after they had received a call from a female in difficulties while walking the coast path near Gillan Beach.

Falmouth inshore lifeboat standing by while the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter attempts to rescue the casualty

Falmouth RNLI

Falmouth inshore lifeboat standing by while the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter attempts to rescue the casualty

Porthoustock and Mullion Coastguard Rescue Teams were also tasked to assist but when on scene were unable to see or get to the casualty from the cliff top due to the very difficult terrain. Because of this, Falmouth inshore lifeboat was requested and tasked to try and reach her from the shoreline below.

The lifeboat launched at 6.22pm into mist and almost zero visibility but fortunately this had improved by the time they arrived on scene 13 minutes later where the visibility was good with a calm sea.

The lifeboat crew located the casualty stuck in thick undergrowth approximately 30 to 40 metres above the shoreline. One crew member was placed ashore before the lifeboat collected two Coastguard team members from the beach east of the casualty’s position. However, it was still not possible to reach her due to the steepness of the cliff and the head high vegetation.

The Coastguard search and rescue helicopter was requested by the Coastguard team to winch the casualty from the cliff side. Due to the difficult location, it took three attempts before she was successfully lifted off the cliff and handed over, uninjured, to members of the Coastguard Rescue Team back on the ground.

With the casualty safely recovered, the lifeboat was released from service and returned to station.

The Coastguard advise people walking the coast path to check for closures and diversions and to follow an inland route if necessary.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Simon Culliford, RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07971986978 or [email protected] or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Media Officer [email protected] or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.


Inshore lifeboat crew member ashore at the scene of the incident

Falmouth RNLI

Inshore lifeboat crew member ashore at the scene of the incident

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.

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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.

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