ISOLATED ON A ROCK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19769, 17 October 1927, Page 10

ISOLATED ON A ROCK.

MAN CUT OFF BY TIDE. SAVED BY ROCKET LIFE-LINE. A thrilling rescue was effected on the cliffs at Flamborough Head recently, in the presence of hundreds of visitors. A young man visitor went through the Arches Cave at low tide and found himself cut off by the tide and unable to return. His position shut him off from the view of the people on the cliffs. He climbed to the top of a rock that jutted into the sea, and was about a 'hundred feet high, but was still cut off from the mainland. Fishermen went out with a boat, but the sea covered the foot of the cliffs with the rising tide, and a rough sea prevented the boat from reaching the stranded man, who appeared to be exhausted. Ropes were next resorted to, but the coastguardsmen and fishermen who went out prepared to use them found that to drag the man off the cliff would mean his being dashed against the face of the rock. Eventually the rocket apparatus lifeline was fetched, and by means of it the rope was got to the stranded man, who tied it round hi 3 body. Then came the critical test. One end of the rope was pulled, and the man swung into space. The men at the other end of the rope held tight, for a break of the rope, or a mistake on the part of those at the loose end, would have meant instant death. Hand-over-hand the man • was hauled to the face of the cliff and then to terra firma. Loud cheers went up when he was safe.

A lady visitor had previously been heard to remark: " That does look like Sidney Phillips, of Leeds." Sure enough, that was the name the rescued man gave when he was safely landed. It was generally admitted to be a remarkable rescue, and it was accomplished by seven fishermen and three coastguards.