Published: | Updated:
Four young boys have been rescued after they became trapped in a cave on a cliff face.
The boys were reportedly struggling in difficult conditions in the water at Thornwick Bay in North Yorkshire and were seen clinging to the side of the cliff.
Filey Coastguard Rescue Team and Flamborough RNLI rushed to the scene on Saturday afternoon following a 999 call from an onlooker.
Dramatic pictures show a man stood on the edge of a cliff as waves crash into it.
It shows emergency services rappelling down the cliff in an attempt to save the boys.
When the coastguard arrived, one boy had managed to make it to shore, one was in the water and two others were trapped in a cave.
The RNLI team quickly saved the boy in the ocean and he was winched up to a helicopter. He was then transferred to the Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
Meanwhile, a coastguard cliff team were deployed to help the two stranded boys in the cave.
Four young boys have been rescued after they became trapped in a cave on a cliff face
Dramatic pictures show emergency services rappelling down the cliff in an attempt to save the boy
One member of the coastguard rappelled down the cliff and got to within five metres of the boys to determine the best rescue option.
A helicopter was reportedly considered but the overhanging cliffs were deemed too much of a risk, the coastguard said.
But as tidal conditions improved, it became possible for the RNLI team already in the water to be able to help the two boys out of the cave.
Both were pulled out of the cave and transferred onto the helicopter where they were handed over to ambulance teams to receive health assessments and further care.
The Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team wrote on social media: 'A fantastic example of multi-agency teamwork, with Coastguard teams, RNLI volunteers, the rescue helicopter crew and ambulance colleagues working together in challenging conditions to bring all four people to safety.
'This incident could have had a very different outcome. We would like to thank everyone involved for their professionalism, teamwork and commitment throughout the rescue.'
The boys were reportedly struggling in difficult conditions in the water at Thornwick Bay in North Yorkshire and were seen clinging to the side of the cliff
The RNLI team quickly saved the boy in the ocean and he was winched up to a helicopter
Filey Coastguard Rescue Team and Flamborough RNLI rushed to the scene on Saturday afternoon following a 999 call from an onlooker
One user replied to the post on Facebook: 'Thank you with all my heart. I'm one of the mums. Eternally thankful.'
Another wrote: 'So incredibly grateful that all the boys came out alive - I was the one who called 999.
'Very lucky boys due to a wonderful team effort.
'Sending love to them & their families.'