Coastguard warning after emergency services called to false alarm near Portreath
It was discovered that the person involved was engaging in BASE jumping
Emergency services launched a large-scale search at Basset Cove, near Portreath, Cornwall, after reports of a man seemingly jumping off a cliff.
H.M. Coastguard Portreath Rescue Team received the call at around 5 p.m. on 7th May.
Multiple agencies responded, including St Ives Lifeboat, the coastguard rescue helicopter R924, and coastguard teams from Portreath and St Agnes, alongside police.
The search went on for approximately two hours.
However, during police investigations, it was discovered that the person involved was engaging in BASE jumping, which involves leaping from fixed objects such as cliffs using a parachute to safely descend.
Upon confirmation that the individual was a BASE jumper, emergency teams were stood down and returned to their respective stations by 7:15 p.m.
Although this incident concluded positively, the Coastguard emphasised the importance of notifying them beforehand when planning sporting activities along the coast, such as climbing, BASE jumping, and paragliding.
Their statement last week read: "At approximately 17:00 yesterday evening (07/05/26), Portreath Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked to reports of a person having jumped from the cliffs at Basset Cove.
"Due to the nature of the incident, a significant multi-agency response was launched, involving lifeboats from St Ives Lifeboat, Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R924 and St Agnes Coastguard Search & Rescue Team alongside police teams.
"Emergency services carried out an intensive search of the area for approximately two hours. While teams were regrouping to brief on the next phase of the search, further police enquiries established that the individual involved was a BASE jumper who intended to jump and deploy their parachute before leaving the beach by alternative methods.
"With this new information received and no sign of the individual in the area, all units were stood down and returned to their respective stations at approximately 19:15.
"While this incident thankfully had a positive outcome, it highlights the large-scale emergency response that can be triggered by reports of persons seen entering the sea or going over cliffs.
"We would ask anyone planning sporting activities at the coast such as Climbing, BASE jumping, paragliding or similar coastal sports to inform HM Coastguard beforehand where possible. A quick notification can help prevent unnecessary searches and allows emergency services to respond more effectively to genuine incidents.
"If you ever see someone in difficulty at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
"Stay safe and enjoy the coast responsibly."