COASTGUARDS are urging people to “stay away” from unstable cliffs, after a dramatic rescue at Durdle Door.

Firefighters, coastguards and the ambulance service was called to the Purbeck beauty spot on Sunday afternoon to reports of two people stuck on a ledge up a cliff.

One eyewitness said they watched the drama unfold and praised the work of the emergency services.

They said: "One young man tried to climb up a cliff face next to Durdle Door. He appeared to freeze half way up. Another man went up to rescue him but couldn't coax the man up or down. Fire services attended first, followed by the coastguard.

"The second man left the cliff face on his own, whilst the other man was rescued by the emergency services."

They added that in total they saw an ambulance, five fire vehicles, coastguards and a beach warden vehicle, adding that the man was rescued safely and the beach was closed while the emergency services worked.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said they sent Lulworth and Kimmeridge coastguard rescue teams, as well as requesting the fire service and the ambulance.

A spokesman said: “We were tasked to two persons stranded on a ledge at Durdle Door.

“The rescue was executed and both persons were checked by the ambulance service – they had no injuries.”

Following the incident, the MCA spokesman urged people to “stay away” and not to climb on cliffs, adding: “People should be aware of the instability of cliffs due to the amount of rain in recent months. They should not get close to the edges, be aware of cracks and stay behind any fencing or barrier for their own safety.

“If you see anybody in difficulty, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”

Fire crews from Wareham and technical rescue teams from Weymouth and Poole said they were called to rescue two teenage boys near Durdle Door at 12.57pm.

A spokesman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said that one of the lads went up the cliff and got into difficulty and then the other went up to try and help him.

She said: “It was more a case of assistance. Our guys were able to get down from the top with due care. They put some safety lines on the lads and walked them back to the top of the cliff.”

The spokesman echoed the coastguard's safety messages and urged people to "respect the cliffs."

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