Rescuers free man with leg trapped in rocks as tide came in up to his neck
Man walks free from 'life or death situation' after spending nearly four hours in sea
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A man who was trapped in rocks with water up to his neck on the Norfolk coast has been freed after spending nearly four hours in the sea.
The man, in his 20s, became stuck after rescuing a toddler near Sheringham’s east promenade, senior coastguard Tony Garbutt said, according to BBC News.
Firefighters cut through rocks as they battled to save him after he trapped his leg. Emergency services were called at 5.30pm on Sunday and a coordinated rescue effort led by Cromer and Sheringham coastguard managed to save the man after the water rose up to his neck at high tide.
He was given a life jacket and breathing apparatus as his rescuers held his head above water while cutting through the rocks trapping him on the beach.
Norfolk Police, Norfolk Fire and Rescue and the East of England Ambulance Service were at the scene alongside Sheringham RNLI.
The Coastguard tweeted: “The news we’ve been waiting for: Man trapped in rocks at Sheringham has been rescued. All Safe. Well done to everyone involved.”
Sam Stockdale, senior maritime operations officer from HM Coastguard, said: “It’s such good news that this man has been freed.
“We often talk about how training matters between the various frontline responders and today has shown just why it does.
“Everyone worked together on scene to look after the man and also to free him as soon as was practically possible.”
Witness Lissy Jackson told the Press Association: “I saw a number of rescue workers at the scene, all crowded round the rocks attempting to free the man.
“He had an injured/trapped leg so they did not have much success. I later then saw two large trucks pull in, with equipment to aid in breaking the rocks to break the man free.”
The man was taken to hospital by the East of England Ambulance Service.
Retired Coastguard station manager Stuart Facey told the North Norfolk News he was walking his dog when the Coastguard arrived.
“I saw someone obviously stuck in the rocks, it was high tide and water was coming over him so it was a very scary situation,” he said.
“I’ve seen people climb into the cavities in the rocks and the problem is that even if you are able to move a rock to free someone who is stuck, another can fall into its place, it can be a life or death situation.”
Earlier, Zach Pedley, from HM Coastguard, said: “This is a very frightening experience for this man.
“Thankfully, someone knew to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard which meant we could send the right response immediately. Everyone is working together at the scene to keep him calm and safe.”
Press Association
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments