Overview
- Shortly after midday on January 1, a male was reported trapped by the incoming tide below West Cliff near Whitby’s Spa Pavilion.
- HM Coastguard teams from Whitby and Staithes responded alongside Whitby RNLI, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, police and Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
- Sea conditions prevented the inshore lifeboat from passing the pier ends and the all-weather lifeboat remained on standby.
- A Coastguard rope technician descended roughly 70–80 meters on a full rope system after a rescue helicopter was alerted with an estimated 45-minute arrival time.
- The casualty was recovered to the cliff top and handed to ambulance crews cold and wet but otherwise well, and agencies urged visitors to check tide times and call 999 for the Coastguard if needed.