Benighted on the Worm

Last Updated on Friday, 20 November 2009 16:07

At just gone 16.00 hours on Sunday  8th. November 2009,  three people could be seen on top of the Outer Head.    Timings for sunset and full dark were confirmed as 16.25 and 17.18 hours and so, in consultation with the Coastguard, the p.m. watchkeepers stayed on to observe.   It got darker and darker and soon nothing could be seen on the slopes of the Worm or on the rocks.    At 17.00 hours however, to the dismay of the watchkeepers, the silhouettes of four (presumably other) people appeared on top of the Outer Head.   The Coastguard was informed and they called out the Cliff Rescue Coastguard team who arrived, preparing to have to negotiate the treacherous access to the Worm in the dark.   Luckily however - it was now about 17.30 - a small LED-type light was observed on the Causeway and in due course four adventurers arrived up to have their details taken by the Cliff Rescue team.

There was never any danger of their being cut off, the Causeway wouldn't have flooded till an hour later, but by the time the lads arrived back it was pitch dark and very cold.   This gives NCI a different kind of danger to be aware of.