TWO lives were put at risk when a helicopter rescue was delayed after watching crowds would not move to let it land, said Coastguards.
Portland Coastguard issued a strong warning today after the incident on cliffs at Lulworth on Thursday afternoon.
They were called shortly before 4pm by a 28-year-old man, who said that he and a 10-year-old girl had been walking along the cliffs at Lulworth, but had found themselves in a position east of Worbarrow Tout where they could get neither up nor down and had become stuck.
Three members of the Lulworth Coastguard Rescue Team were despatched to the scene, along with the rescue helicopter, to airlift the pair to Worbarrow beach.
But the chopper came into difficulties when large numbers of people gathered at the cliff edge to watch the dramatic scenes.
It was eventually able to land and rescue the man and girl, but now Coastguards have issued a plea to the public.
Portland Coastguard search and rescue mission controller, Dominic Lonsdale, said the rescue was delayed when onlookers refused to clear the area for the helicopter to land.
He said: "Although it may be tempting to try and get close to an incident or to take photographs of a rescue in progress, the members of the public who hampered the rescue put two people's lives at risks by disallowing resources to reach them.
"It is also worth mentioning that this is the second time this week that the Coastguard helicopter has been tasked to rescue people who have become stranded on the cliffs.
"If you come to the end of a pathway along a beach, do not attempt to climb up cliffs to continue your journey, or you may, as these people did, find yourself in need of rescue."
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