Dog plunges 300ft off cliff to its death as Coastguard issues urgent warning

02 April 2024 , 13:19

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A rescue operation on a cliff face took place to retrieve a dog that had fallen 100m (Image: Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team)

A dog plunged 100m off the edge of a cliff at Bempton this Easter Sunday, prompting the Coastguard and RNLI to launch a rescue operation.

A cliff rescue technician managed to retrieve the hound after scaling the chalk face of the cliff using a cliff rescue system.

Sadly, due to the sheer height of the fall, the dog was unable to be saved but was carried back up the rock face to his devastated owners.

The Bempton Cliffs in Bridlington, Yorkshire, are hailed as one of the the 'UK's top wildlife spectacles' by the RSPB and are a popular hiking destination for locals and tourists.

In a social media statement, Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team said: "This is a very distressing incident for the owners and a reminder to all that dogs should never be let off a lead close to the cliff edge. Accidents can and do happen, make sure your trip to the coast is remembered for the right reasons."

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The brave rescue team scaled down the side of the cliff to retrieve the family pet. (Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team)

The post outlined how the Coastguard Rescue Team from Bridlington and Filey were alerted by Humber Coastguard on Sunday, March 31, at 1.30pm to reports of a dog fallen 100m off the cliffs at Bempton.

It continued: "The coastguard team arrived on scene and established the location the dog had fallen from the cliffs.

"An edge safety officer was placed on the cliff edge using specialist safety equipment and the RNLI lifeboat from Flamborough was requested to assist. The lifeboat arrived on scene and confirmed that whilst they were able to get ashore they were unable to get the dog back to the vessel for recovery.

The Bempton Cliffs are located in Bridlington, Yorkshire and are popular for hiking. (Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team)

“A rope rescue technician was lowered down the 100 metre chalk cliffs using a cliff rescue system and managed to access the dog. Unfortunately due to the height of fall, there was nothing that could be done to help the dog. The rope rescue technician recovered the dog up the cliff and into the care of the owners.”

Cecilia Adamou