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Tilly Whim Caves: Swimmer dies after becoming trapped | Tilly Whim Caves: Swimmer dies after becoming trapped |
(35 minutes later) | |
A woman has died after becoming trapped in a sea cave off the Dorset coast. | A woman has died after becoming trapped in a sea cave off the Dorset coast. |
A coastguard rescue team was called to Tilly Whim Caves in Durlston, near Swanage, on Saturday afternoon, after a man swimming with her raised the alarm. | A coastguard rescue team was called to Tilly Whim Caves in Durlston, near Swanage, on Saturday afternoon, after a man swimming with her raised the alarm. |
He was winched to safety but the woman, aged 30, had become trapped in the caves at sea level. By the time rescuers reached her she had died. | |
The man, 31, was unhurt. Rescuers were unable to retrieve the woman's body as it was deemed "too dangerous". | The man, 31, was unhurt. Rescuers were unable to retrieve the woman's body as it was deemed "too dangerous". |
Portland Coastguard said the weather conditions were "horrendous" with gale force winds and high tide. | Portland Coastguard said the weather conditions were "horrendous" with gale force winds and high tide. |
'Blow hole' | 'Blow hole' |
A Swanage coastguard search and rescue team spokesman said it made the operation extremely difficult. | A Swanage coastguard search and rescue team spokesman said it made the operation extremely difficult. |
He said: "Entry to the cave was either underwater, or though a narrow blow hole at the top of the cave. | He said: "Entry to the cave was either underwater, or though a narrow blow hole at the top of the cave. |
"The rescue was considered to be at the very edge of our technical capability. | "The rescue was considered to be at the very edge of our technical capability. |
"With the light failing and high tide approaching, a final risk assessment was undertaken by the office in charge and a decision was made to deploy. | "With the light failing and high tide approaching, a final risk assessment was undertaken by the office in charge and a decision was made to deploy. |
"The St Albans' cliff technician showed exceptional courage and entered the cave through the blow hole. | "The St Albans' cliff technician showed exceptional courage and entered the cave through the blow hole. |
"On entering the cave it became apparent that the casualty had sadly succumbed. | "On entering the cave it became apparent that the casualty had sadly succumbed. |
"The difficult decision was taken that the recovery of the body at that point was too dangerous to undertake. The teams stood down at this point. | "The difficult decision was taken that the recovery of the body at that point was too dangerous to undertake. The teams stood down at this point. |
"Naturally at this time the team's thoughts are with the deceased person's family and friends." | "Naturally at this time the team's thoughts are with the deceased person's family and friends." |
Dorset Police said it was now dealing with the incident. | Dorset Police said it was now dealing with the incident. |
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