Brilliant Belt Rescue: Police Save Man Dangling Off Northfleet Quarry Cliff
Quick-thinking cops turned their belts into a DIY hoist to save a man clinging to the edge of a 50-foot drop in Northfleet. The drama unfolded at a disused quarry off Pier Road on the evening of Saturday 21 March 2020, after police were alerted to a man threatening serious self-harm.
Cliffhanger Moment
Officers from the North Kent Local Policing Team found the man hanging perilously on the cliffside. Three constables scrambled to the top, calming him and promising a safe rescue. Thinking fast, they linked their belts together and lowered the makeshift hoist to the man while one officer anchored them firmly.
Meanwhile, a fourth officer waited below, ready to give first aid if the worst happened.
Rope to the Rescue
The belts held the man’s weight but weren’t strong enough to haul him up. One officer dashed to a nearby house, borrowed a rope from a resident, and used it to pull the man to solid ground.
The entire rescue took just five minutes. Kent Fire and Rescue Service arrived right as the man was brought to safety and handed over to medical professionals.
Police Praise for Life-Saving Team
“The outstanding work of these officers doubtlessly saved the life of a vulnerable man who was in serious danger,” said Chief Inspector Neil Loudon, Kent Police’s District Commander for North Kent. “In what was a distressing situation, they remained calm and used their initiative to quickly stop an unpredictable incident turning into a tragic one.”
“I am exceptionally proud of their work. They are a credit to Kent Police and the communities they serve.”
