Lifeboats Race to Rescue Injured Climber on Eastbourne Cliffs
In the dead of night on Saturday, 11 October, both RNLI lifeboats from Eastbourne launched after reports of an injured person stranded on cliffs west of the town.
Major Multi-Agency Search Scrambles in Pitch-Black Darkness
The emergency call came in at 1.42am. HM Coastguard led a massive response with Eastbourne, Newhaven, and Birling Gap lifeboats joining forces. Eastbourne Coastguard Rescue Teams, Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service, and the coastguard helicopter Rescue 363 also scrambled to help.
Teams combed the treacherous cliffs under pitch-dark conditions, desperately hunting for the casualty.
Injured Person Found Outside Search Zone – Lifeboats Stand Down
Just before 4am, Sussex Police located the injured person outside the original search area. Both lifeboats were stood down and returned to base shortly after.
RNLI Warns: Always Dial 999 or 112 in Coastal Emergencies
“In a coastal emergency, always dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”
