School Party and Teachers Rescued After Being Trapped by Tide in Kent
A dramatic rescue operation was launched in Kent last night after 34 children and two adults were cut off by the incoming tide. The large-scale effort involved three lifeboats, a coastguard rescue team, and a rescue helicopter.
Coastguard Called In After School Group Trapped by Tide
The emergency call came just after 9:25pm through Kent Police to the UK Coastguard Operations Centre in Fareham. The stranded group was believed to be near St Margaret’s Bay and Dover Harbour in the Langdon Bay area. With the tide rising fast, the party found themselves stranded and unable to return safely.
Three Lifeboats and Helicopter Join Massive Rescue
- Dover RNLI lifeboat
- Two Walmer RNLI lifeboats
- Langdon Coastguard Rescue Team
- UK Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Lydd
These teams worked together to locate and rescue the group in a hazardous zone notorious for cliff falls.
High-Tech Gear Helps Spot Stranded Party
“The group were advised to switch on their mobile phone lights to help us locate them,” said UK Coastguard Senior Maritime Operations Officer Richard Cockerill. “One of the Walmer lifeboats spotted them, and our helicopter’s forward-looking infra-red (FLIR) camera confirmed their location.”
Alex Brown, winch operator for the helicopter, added: “The FLIR camera worked brilliantly and helped us find them quickly. While most were rescued by lifeboat, we had to land on rocks to airlift five people back to Dover Coastguard station.”
All Rescued Without Serious Injury After Harrowing Ordeal
“The group were caught out by a rising tide,” said Dover RNLI Coxswain Mark Finnis. “Thanks to the fast response and coordination, all 36 were rescued safely. They were lucky to escape serious injury but will have been shaken by the experience.”
The school party, believed to be from London, have now been safely brought ashore after what could have been a deadly accident on the Kent coast.
