Tourists Trapped on Cliff During Tide Rise
A group of seven, including three children, found themselves stranded on a cliff along Australia’s east coast during their morning beach walk. The tide was rising rapidly, with waves reaching 16 feet in height.
Pete Collins, the commander of local emergency services, stated that if the waves had risen any higher, they would have been swept off the ledge. He noted that the tourists had phones and were able to call for help.
Initial rescue attempts involved a helicopter, but its downdraft posed a risk of pushing them into the water. Instead, rescuers used ropes and an Arizona vortex device, which was crucial in navigating the sharp rock edges on the cliff edge.
The successful three-hour operation was carried out by unpaid volunteer Australian rescue workers who had been preparing for such scenarios.