Four rescued from sea and cave at Thornwick Bay near Flamborough
A multi-agency operation involved the coastguard, RNLI and a rescue helicopter
Four people have been rescued after getting into difficulty in the sea and inside a cave at Thornwick Bay, near Flamborough.
Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team was tasked alongside Filey Coastguard Rescue Team and Flamborough RNLI, following reports that four people were struggling in difficult conditions in the water.
On arrival, teams found one man had already managed to reach the shore, while another person remained in the water and two others had taken shelter inside a cave.
Rescue from the water
Flamborough RNLI rescued the swimmer with help from the coastguard team.
Rescue Helicopter 912 then arrived at the scene, and the casualty was winched aboard before the helicopter landed and the person was handed into the care of Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
Rescue from the cave
Attention then turned to the two people sheltering inside the cave.
Overhanging cliffs meant an aerial rescue from the cave was not possible, so a coastguard cliff team was deployed, with a technician descending to within five metres of the pair to help work out the safest way to reach them.
As tidal conditions began to improve, it was decided Flamborough RNLI was best placed to carry out the rescue, and both casualties were brought out and transferred to Rescue Helicopter 912.
The helicopter landed and both were handed over to Yorkshire Ambulance Service for further assessment and care.
The coastguard team thanked everyone involved, including coastguard crews, RNLI volunteers, the helicopter crew and ambulance staff, for their professionalism and teamwork throughout the rescue.