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Drunk teenage group left on cliff | Drunk teenage group left on cliff |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Coastguards decided to leave a group of apparently drunk teenagers on a cliff overnight because it was deemed too risky to help them off. | Coastguards decided to leave a group of apparently drunk teenagers on a cliff overnight because it was deemed too risky to help them off. |
The incident near Torquay began when an 18-year-old dialled 999 at about 0045 BST and said he had suffered an epileptic seizure. | The incident near Torquay began when an 18-year-old dialled 999 at about 0045 BST and said he had suffered an epileptic seizure. |
Rescue teams airlifted him to the cliff top and he was taken to hospital. | Rescue teams airlifted him to the cliff top and he was taken to hospital. |
Coastguards criticised the group for "tying up resources" overnight and putting themselves at risk by drinking. | Coastguards criticised the group for "tying up resources" overnight and putting themselves at risk by drinking. |
After the first youth was airlifted off the cliff a decision was made to leave the seven others there until daylight, when they made their own way off. They were having a beach party and were very drunk Fiona Iris, Brixham Coastguard | |
The group had been having a party at Long Quarry Point, in South Devon. | The group had been having a party at Long Quarry Point, in South Devon. |
They were on an area the size of a football pitch about 20ft (6m) above the sea which is accessed by a path from the top of the cliff. | They were on an area the size of a football pitch about 20ft (6m) above the sea which is accessed by a path from the top of the cliff. |
Coastguards decided that after recent rainfall it would be too risky to lower anyone down to rescue them. | Coastguards decided that after recent rainfall it would be too risky to lower anyone down to rescue them. |
Fiona Iris, from Brixham Coastguard, said: "They weren't in any danger. | |
"They were having a beach party and were very drunk. | "They were having a beach party and were very drunk. |
"It was decided it was safer to leave them there to sleep it off." | "It was decided it was safer to leave them there to sleep it off." |
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the incident had tied up rescue teams overnight. | The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the incident had tied up rescue teams overnight. |
It warned of the dangers of young people putting themselves at risk by drinking too much. | It warned of the dangers of young people putting themselves at risk by drinking too much. |