Teen plunged down cliffs at Salton Bay – airlifted to hospital
A 15-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital after a terrifying fall down cliffs at Salton Bay, Whitehaven last night. HM Coastguard received the emergency call just after 7.10pm on April 28.
Major rescue operation launched
Whitehaven & Maryport Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRT), the St Bees RNLI lifeboat, and the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick rushed to the scene. North West Ambulance Service was also on hand. The teenager and his mum were both flown to hospital following the dramatic rescue.
Possible serious injuries reported
While the boy’s exact condition remains unclear, it’s feared he may have suffered head, neck, and back injuries. Jacob Hill, senior maritime operations officer with HM Coastguard, said:
“The young man had fallen in an awkward spot and it was quickly obvious that we were going to need the helicopter to get him out of there. Thankfully, we were able to get him out and to hospital fairly quickly, knowing the kind of injuries likely involved, thanks to all those on site.”
Second alert sparks search but no trace found
Less than two hours later, at just before 9.40pm, rescue teams were called out again for a report of someone in the water at Salton Bay. The same crews – alongside local police – conducted an extensive search but found nothing.
Jacob Hill added:
“We carried out a search right across the area but couldn’t find anything from that call. It’s possible the first and second incidents were one and the same.”
