THE Portland coastguard helicopter airlifted a family to safety after they were cut off by the tide near Charmouth.
Three people, a man, a woman and their son were cut off about a mile from Charmouth just before 4pm on Monday.
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat was launched to help in the rescue of the three people trapped by the high tide.
The lifeboat was launched at 3. 56pm following reports that a man, a woman and a 16-year-old boy were stranded between Charmouth and Golden Cap to the east of Lyme Regis.
They were walking towards Charmouth and were unable to get to high ground as the tide came in.
Because of the choppy conditions the lifeboat crew felt they could not get the three people aboard safely.
Crew member Tom Crabbe swam 200 metres ashore to reassure them and help them walk to safety.
Half an hour before high tide the coastguard helicopter airlifted the three walkers and Tom Crabbe and landed them at Charmouth where they were met by coastguards.
Lifeboat helm Murray Saunders said: “Because of the pitching swell we would not have been able to get the three people off the beach safely so it was necessary to call for the coastguard helicopter.”
The coastguard said that nobody was injured in the incident.
BACK ON LAND: Tom Crabbe. Picture by Richard Horobin
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel