This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-36466422
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
London teenagers trapped by Kent tide use phones as beacons | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
More than 30 north London teenagers who became trapped by rising coastal tides were rescued after using their mobile phones as distress beacons. | |
The 34 youngsters and two adults from the Ahavat Yisrael Community Centre were on a half term trip to the Kent coast. | |
They got lost in an area prone to rock falls and called Kent Police for help. | |
Mark Finnis, coxswain of Dover RNLI, said the group had passed "nine warning signs" deterring them from the walk. | Mark Finnis, coxswain of Dover RNLI, said the group had passed "nine warning signs" deterring them from the walk. |
"It could have ended up a whole lot worse," Mr Finnis told BBC London. | "It could have ended up a whole lot worse," Mr Finnis told BBC London. |
"None of the people we took on board our lifeboat were dressed in any attire that you would associate with clambering over rocks." | "None of the people we took on board our lifeboat were dressed in any attire that you would associate with clambering over rocks." |
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the group were advised to use the lights from their phones to aid the search for them. | The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the group were advised to use the lights from their phones to aid the search for them. |
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. | |
Follow live BBC updates here | Follow live BBC updates here |
"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." |
In a statement, the community centre in Stamford Hill, north London, said it was "hugely grateful" to the coastguard, whose "swift actions ensured that everyone was returned to the shore safe and well". | |
It promised a full investigation to "ascertain the facts". | |
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 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 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," Mr Finnis said. | "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," Mr Finnis said. |
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". |