Major Emergency Response Launched At Whale Chine On Good Friday

A large-scale emergency response was launched at Whale Chine on Good Friday afternoon following concerns for people potentially in difficulty along the coast.

HM Coastguard deployed multiple teams to the scene off Military Road at around 16:00, including the Needles and Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Teams, alongside a Senior Coastal Operations Officer.

A search and rescue helicopter from Lee-on-Solent was also tasked, carrying out an extensive aerial search between Blackgang and Atherfield.

On land, Coastguard teams set up operations at the cliff top, with a specialist cliff technician lowered down to carry out detailed checks of the shoreline below.

Freshwater Independent Lifeboat also assisted at sea, completing several shoreline search runs in challenging conditions.

Following a thorough search involving all agencies, the incident was stood down and later confirmed to be a false alarm made with good intent.

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said:

"HM Coastguard responded to reports of a person possibly falling from a cliff in Chale yesterday, 3 April.

"First informed at around 4pm, Ventnor and Needles Coastguard Rescue Teams, an HM Coastguard helicopter and Freshwater Independent Lifeboat were sent to the scene.

"An extensive search of the area was conducted with no one found to be in distress."