RAF rescues girl, 12, in Flamborough cliff plunge

A 12-YEAR-OLD girl was rescued by the coastguard after breaking both her ankles in a fall from sea cliffs near Flamborough Head today.

The girl was walking with her family on a path close to the edge of chalk cliffs surrounding Little Thornwick Bay in East Yorkshire, when she fell and injured herself on the rocks below.

Her family rushed to a nearby cafe and staff alerted the Humber Coastguard.

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Paramedics and Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team called a rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield to fly the girl and her mother, both from Hull, to Scarborough hospital.

A member of staff at the Thornwick Bay Cafe, on North Marine Road, Flamborough, said: “The family came in and said their daughter had fallen and could we get help.

“They’d been on their way down to the beach when the girl slipped and fell onto the rocks below.

“It’s lucky that the tide was out. It can be unpredictable because it comes in unevenly because of the shape of the bay.”

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Mike Puplett, watch manager at Humber Coastguard, said the girl had suspected broken ankles and bruising from the fall.

He said: “If you are walking at the coast, keep well clear of cliff edges and stay on the coastal paths.

“Cliff edges can be crumbly and give way unexpectedly, and they can be slippery in damp weather.”

Thornwick Bay derives its name from the Norse God of Thunder, Thor, because of the roar of the breaking waves on the rocks.

The area is swept by winds blowing in off the North Sea and is known for its treacherous tide.