INTOXICATED TEENAGER CALLS FOR HELP
Loading...
Thursday, August 07, 2008
At quarter to one this morning Brixham Coastguard received several 999 calls from an 18 year old teenager reporting that he was in some form of distress on a cliff
The boy told the Coastguard in the operations room that he was epileptic and had suffered a fit. He and a friend that was with him could not tell the Coastguard where they were and communications with the two boys was difficult as it became apparent that they were under the influence of alcohol.
Teignmouth and Torbay Coastguard rescue teams were called out to search the area. The teams with the assistance of the police helicopter Oscar 99 quickly located the boys. Ambulance and police officers were also requested to attend.
Due to the recent rainfall in the area and the make up of the ground where the boys were, it was deemed too dangerous to lower a cliff man down to the boys. A rescue helicopter was scrambled from Chivenor and Teignmouth lifeboat was requested to launch.
Whilst the helicopter was making its way to the location, it was decided to pick up Coastguard, ambulance and police personnel to drop them in on the coast. As units were moved in by the boat, it was discovered that there were a further 7 teenagers on a ledge surrounded on all sides by water.
The boy suffering from epilepsy was airlifted by the helicopter to the cliff top and transported to hospital by ambulance.
It was considered by the police and Coastguard units at the incident that it was too dangerous to extract the remaining seven boys and girls who were all under the influence. A decision was made that it was safer to leave them in the location they were in, until daylight.
Zoe Boyne, Duty Watch Manager Brixham Coastguard said:
This incident has tied up many resources throughout the night. It has also highlighted the dangers of young people putting themselves at risk in locations where they lose control of their actions due to the effects of intoxicating substances.
Devon and Cornwall Police are continuing with their enquiries into this incident.