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Pupils trapped by Kent tide use phones as beacons | Pupils trapped by Kent tide use phones as beacons |
(about 2 hours later) | |
More than 30 pupils who became trapped by rising coastal tides were rescued after using their mobile phones as distress beacons. | More than 30 pupils who became trapped by rising coastal tides were rescued after using their mobile phones as distress beacons. |
The 34 youngsters and two adults had got lost on the Kent coast in an area prone to cliff rock falls. | The 34 youngsters and two adults had got lost on the Kent coast in an area prone to cliff rock falls. |
An air and sea search began at about 21:00 BST on Monday after the London school group alerted Kent Police. | An air and sea search began at about 21:00 BST on Monday after the London school group alerted Kent Police. |
They were advised to use their phone lights to aid the search for them, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said. | They were advised to use their phone lights to aid the search for them, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said. |
A rescue helicopter, based in Lydd, was involved in the operation, along with three lifeboats, two from Dover and one from Walmer and the Langdon Coastguard Rescue Team. | A rescue helicopter, based in Lydd, was involved in the operation, along with three lifeboats, two from Dover and one from Walmer and the Langdon Coastguard Rescue Team. |
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"The group was located by one of the Walmer lifeboats in the area of active cliff falls and also spotted by a helicopter using the forward-looking infra red camera," said Richard Cockerill, UK Coastguard's senior maritime operations officer. | "The group was located by one of the Walmer lifeboats in the area of active cliff falls and also spotted by a helicopter using the forward-looking infra red camera," said Richard Cockerill, UK Coastguard's senior maritime operations officer. |
"All 36 people were recovered to safety by lifeboat and helicopter." | "All 36 people were recovered to safety by lifeboat and helicopter." |
It is understood the group had descended on to the beach from a coastal path, between St Margaret's Bay and Dover, when they were caught by rising waters, a coastguard spokeswoman said. | It is understood the group had descended on to the beach from a coastal path, between St Margaret's Bay and Dover, when they were caught by rising waters, a coastguard spokeswoman said. |
After being spotted using night-vision cameras, 31 members of the group were taken ashore and the remaining five were airlifted to safety before being flown to the Dover Coastguard station. | After being spotted using night-vision cameras, 31 members of the group were taken ashore and the remaining five were airlifted to safety before being flown to the Dover Coastguard station. |
All members were accounted for by 23:00 and were "safe and well". | All members were accounted for by 23:00 and were "safe and well". |
"Thankfully, the quick and well co-ordinated search and rescue response meant all 36 were rescued and were lucky to escape without serious injuries, but they've had a traumatic experience," said Mark Finnis, coxswain of Dover RNLI. | "Thankfully, the quick and well co-ordinated search and rescue response meant all 36 were rescued and were lucky to escape without serious injuries, but they've had a traumatic experience," said Mark Finnis, coxswain of Dover RNLI. |
The Port of Dover later tweeted that the group's rescue "was a lesson to us all to be careful around water and check tidal information". | The Port of Dover later tweeted that the group's rescue "was a lesson to us all to be careful around water and check tidal information". |