Four Aber students rescued off cliff face after tides left them stranded

Four university students were rescued off a cliff face near Clarach by the RNLI, but luckily weren’t hurt in the ordeal.

At 7.45pm on Wednesday, the Coastguard rescue team and RNLI inshore lifeboat team from Aberystwyth and Borth responded to an emergency call coming from a cliff near Clarach bay as four university students were cut off from their path and had become stuck on a cliff as they tried to escaped the incoming spring tides.

The three male and one female friends had become stuck on a cliff face between Clarach and Wallog around three-quarters of the way up to Wallog.

The RNLI lifeboat crews were first on scene, however the volunteers could not rescue the young adults without help by the coastguard rescue helicopter 936.

The students, aged between 18 and 20, were winched off the cliff edge, as manual rescue measures were too risky.

The stranded adventurers were winched off the cliff two people at a time by the helicopter’s crew.

None of the casualties remain harmed, and further medical attention was not required.

Aberystwyth University has a vast outdoor community, and students often hike along the costline.

HM Coastguard’s senior coastal operations officer, Lee Crumpler is concerened about the safety of adventurers and told the Cambrian News: “The people who were rescued walked over from Aberystwyth and when the tide started coming in, they tried climbing the cliffs to get away from the sea.

“If you are planning on walking along the coastline, always check tides and plan ahead. Also very important is to wear the correct equipment to suit conditions, and if you do get in trouble, always call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”