Snapchat message from a man 'trapped in beach cave' sparks late-night RNLI search

Hartlepool’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteers were called shortly before 11pm on Sunday, January 24, by the Humber Coastguard to reports of a man who had became trapped in a beach cave at Blackhall Rocks due to the rising tide.

According to the Hartlepool Coastguard Rescue Team, the man had sent a friend a photo of himself in the caves with the rising tide via Snapchat, prompting the alarm to be raised.

The inshore lifeboat was launched at 11.11pm from the Ferry Road lifeboat station and was at the scene within 15 minutes, shortly followed by the all weather lifeboat, where teams conducted a search of the shoreline in sub-zero temperatures.

Rescue teams released five flares to illuminate the area in order to aid the search however they were informed that the man in question had been traced safely back to his home – with the RNLI crews being stood down and returning to base shortly after midnight.

Hartlepool RNLI coxswain Robbie Maiden said: “Whilst searching the shoreline in sub zero temperatures we also released five white para flares to illuminate he area.

“Fortunately we were later informed that the casualty had been traced back to his home and we were stood down at midnight by Humber Coastguard.

"Once again it was a great response by my volunteer crew members who left the comfort of their warm homes and families to turn out an absolutely freezing cold night to take part in the search along with the local Coastguard team during the incident.”

A spokesperson for Hartlepool Coastguard Rescue Team added: “We were paged by Humber Coastguard to reports of a man who had became trapped in a beach cave at Blackhall Rocks due to the rising tide.

“The first informant had concerns after the man had Snapchatted her a picture of him in the caves with the tide rising.

“Hartlepool RNLI were also tasked to assist with a shoreline search while we searched the cliff tops using Holdfasts with our ESO’s (edge safety officer) attached to try get a visual of the casualty.”

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