Helicopter rescue for teenager who climbed down cliffs for birthday dare

One of a group of four, his three friends had descended the cliffs safely before him.

The 14-year-old had scrambled to a position 40ft from the beach below when, with the tide sweeping in, he became paralysed with fear.

His friends called the police to the scene at Sewerby, near Bridlington.

The RNLI Flamborough Head inshore lifeboat found the boy, before an RAF helicopter picked him up, depositing him back at the top of the cliff where the Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team and his family were waiting.

The rescue was co-ordinated by Humber Coastguard, which has its headquarters nearby.

Watch Manager Drew Mahood said: “We understand that the teenager had descended the cliff as part of a dare on his birthday, but became stuck when the gravity of his situation struck home.

“Climbing on cliffs at any time is an extremely dangerous activity, but the eroding coastline in this vicinity is particularly hazardous.

“This scenario had a happy ending but we are not always so lucky.

“Hopefully, a lesson has been learned by this individual and his companions.

“Our coastline needs to be treated with respect.”

In recent years a number of dogs have fallen over the cliffs at Sewerby.

Last year the owner of a micro-chipped dog found dead on the beach filed a formal complaint after discovering its body was dumped on a landfill site.

Sewerby marks the point where the cliffs turn from clay to chalk topped by clay and start to rise towards Flamborough Head.