Runkerry cliff rescue
Thursday, 15 July 2010
The scene where a woman was rescued from cliffs at Runkerry Head on the North Coast on Monday.
COASTGUARDS from Coleraine and Ballycastle rescued a 10-year-old girl and her father who were trapped on a cliff face at Ballintoy on Saturday afternoon.
The incident began to unfold just before 1.30pm when the young girl, who had been exploring the area near the old limestone quarry at Larrybane, became trapped on a ledge about 60 feet above sea level.
Her father climbed up to her assistance but found that he too could not get down safely from the crumbling cliff face.
Fortunately, two other family members, who had witnessed the failed rescue attempt, were able to alert the emergency services and the wardens on duty at the nearby National Trust site.
Coastguard Rope Rescue Teams from Coleraine and Ballycastle were immediately tasked to the scene and a full-scale rescue operation began.
Two Coastguard rope rescue technicians abseiled carefully down the limestone cliff to the stranded pair and brought them slowly up to the cliff top where they were reunited with the rest of their relieved family.
After their ordeal the father and daughter thanked the Coastguard team members for their assistance.
Speaking after the rescue, Coastguard Station Officer Chris Little said: "This was an extremely dangerous cliff face and presented us with a number of technical challenges.
“We are very pleased with the outcome of this incident but would remind all coastal users that they should be very wary when near cliffs- it is all too easy to become trapped."
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