Thirty-six rescued off Dover Coast

Thirty-four teenagers and two adults were rescued on the night of 6 June  and taken to safety after getting lost during a coastal walk at St Margaret’s Bay, near Dover, UK.

UK Coastguard received a request for assistance from the Kent Police at 21:00 hrs after the group contacted them to say they were lost somewhere between St Margaret’s Bay and Dover Harbour after getting disorientated on a coastal walk.

The school children were able to help rescuers by using their mobile phones as distress beacons.

The UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Lydd, Dover RNLI lifeboat, two Walmer RNLI lifeboats, Langdon Coastguard Rescue Team and the local ground ambulance service were sent to the area. In total, 40 volunteers took part in the ‘large scale operation’.

All of the group was located and brought to safety by the lifeboats and the helicopter at around 23:00 hrs.

Mark Finnis, coxswain of Dover RNLI, said: “The group were caught out by a rising tide. Thankfully the quick and well co-ordinated search and rescue response meant all 36 casualties were rescued and were lucky to escape without serious injuries, but they've had a traumatic experience.”