A MAJOR rescue operation was launched after two people became trapped halfway up a cliff.

Newquay Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 924, Newquay, Polzeath and Padstow Coastguard teams as well as Padstow lifeboat attended the incident at Pentire Steps at Bedruthan on Tuesday, May 26, at 7.30pm.

They had become stuck 80 foot up whilst trying to climb the 180 foot high cliff.

A winch rescue via rescue helicopter 924 was not possible due to their location combined with loose rock and slate.

Two technical rope rescue systems were rigged up, and two rope technicians were lowered down to them. The lifeboat stood by offshore.

A spokesperson for Newquay Coastguard Search and Rescue Team said: “Once both casualties were assessed for injuries and secured they were individually lowered with a technician down to the beach below.

“Once all four were safely on the ground Rescue 924 winched both casualties and rope technicians up into the cab.

“They were then flown back to their base at Newquay airport, before being taken back to their transport and a safe onward journey home.”

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard Padstow added: “During our weekly training session, the team received a tasking to two people stuck part-way up a cliff in the vicinity of Pentire Point.

“The team arrived on scene, located the casualties and found them to be approximately 80 feet up a 180 foot cliff.

“The casualties had attempted to climb up but had become stuck and could not progress in either direction.

“The team began rigging for a technical rope rescue, meanwhile both Polzeath and Newquay Coastguard rescue teams and a full time Coastguard rescue officer were tasked and on route.

“Due to the precarious position of the casualties, Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 924 was requested to assess the situation from the air.

“The Padstow RNLI lifeboat was also on scene to provide safety cover and a vantage point from the sea.

“The casualties were located below a large overhang of loose rock and slate.

“It was quickly established that a helicopter rescue would not be safe.

“The down-draught of the helicopter is very strong and the risk of a rockfall and any subsequent injuries to the casualties was too high.

“Once Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team arrived on scene, a second rope rescue setup was implemented.

“Cliff technicians from Padstow and Newquay were then deployed to the casualties.

“Padstow Lifeboat had the best vantage point and continually kept the cliff-top team updated.

“On reaching the casualties, the cliff technicians assessed them for any injuries and secured them in to the rope rescue system.

“Due to the unstable cliff face, both casualties were then lowered, along with the cliff technicians, down to the beach below.

“Once all four people were safely on the ground, Rescue Helicopter 924 winched them in to the safety of their cab.

“On return to the clifftop, the casualties were offered safety advice and returned to their vehicle.

“All assets were stood down and returned to their respective stations.

“It was great multiagency work, as always. Thank you to all involved.”