Birdwatcher’s tide warning after cliff rescue by HM Coastguard rope team 

Birdwatcher’s tide warning after cliff rescue by HM Coastguard rope team 

A birdwatcher has urged beachgoers to beware of the tide after he and a friend were cut off by the sea at Marsden, Tyne and Wear, and had to be lifted nearly 100ft up sheer cliffs by a rope rescue team. 
Rope rescue at Marsden in Tyne and Wear

The water was rising when HM Coastguard was alerted at about 2.45pm to two men from nearby North Shields, Dave Brown (65) and Gordon Dougal (66), stranded near Marsden Grotto in a small cove on the shoreline they often visit. 

After their escape on Wednesday 19th April, Dave has now appealed to others to take extra care and to call the coastguard on 999 if they get stuck. 

A day of birdwatching started normally after Dave and Gordon had checked the tide times and walked south along the shore, a little further than normal but giving themselves a couple of hours to get back before high tide. 

The return took longer than expected, however, and at about 1pm they found themselves trapped within sight of the busy main beach, only 100 yards away. 

Facing choppy water, their attempt to get round the cliffs was unsuccessful so they prepared to hunker down above the tide line and make their way home when the sea receded. 

But as the sun dropped behind the cliff Dave, wet from his efforts to get out of the cove, started to feel the effects of the cold, so they decided to get in touch with family. 

Dave said: “We were not panicking, because the tide does not come up to the base of the cliffs, but it was just the cold and getting hypothermia, plus getting round the cove later in the dark. So we thought better safe than sorry.” 

When they attempted to call for help, however, the cliffs appeared to block mobile reception and it was only when a text eventually sent from the phone to Dave’s family that the alarm was raised with HM Coastguard. 

Locating the stricken pair proved difficult, so the RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was dispatched from its Tynemouth station. 

After a search, the crew managed to spot the men – but the choppy conditions made it too dangerous to pick them up off the beach. 

With Dave at risk of hypothermia, HM Coastguard sent a 12-strong rope rescue team, comprising Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team and South Shields Voluntary Life Brigade, to bring him and Gordon to safety by lifting them up the 100ft cliff. 

Dave said: “They were pretty high cliffs but the lads were brilliant, and took us through it first. It was either that or call a helicopter out. 

“My friend’s not very good with heights but he was fine with the blokes with him.” 

The pair were recovered, one by one, to the top by around 5.15pm – about two and a half hours after the first call was made. 

Gordon Dougal (left) and Dave Brown (photo credit: Dave Brown)
Gordon Dougal (left) and Dave Brown (photo credit: Dave Brown)

Dave said: “I felt a bit better at the top where it was a bit warmer in the sun. I have never been so happy to get home and see the wife. She said, ‘You’re grounded!’” 

He finished with a word of advice for other visitors: “Marsden cliffs have several curved bays and if you’re in one, you can’t see properly where you are. 

“I would just say to people not to wander too far from the main beach as there aren’t escape routes and the coves make it hard to see round to the main beach. And if you get stuck, call 999.” 

Coastal Operations Area Commander Martin Lowe, from HM Coastguard, said: “It’s surprisingly easy to be caught out by the tides, even if you know an area well – it happens so often, and Marsden is a real hotspot for getting stranded. 

“In this case there was a safe ending and no one was hurt, but there are a few simple things we can all remember to avoid getting into danger and the risk of a tragic outcome. 

“We always advise people going down to the coast just to check whether the tide is going in or out, and to stay aware of the state of the sea if you’re walking along the shore without a quick escape route. 

“But if you do get into trouble, dial 999 straightaway and ask for the coastguard – we’ll know what to do.” 

 

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