Cliff walkers saved by helicopter
A group of walkers including an 83-year-old woman had to be air-lifted by helicopter after they got into difficulties on a cliff path in County Antrim today.
The party of six people were hiking along the coastal path at Fairhead near Ballycastle when they became stranded in the dark for more than five hours.
A search team from the coastguard was unable to reach them by land or sea and eventually a helicopter from Prestwick arrived to pluck them to safety.
A coastguards spokeswoman said the rescue team had recognised the difficulties of trying to reach them by land so there was an attempt to get to them by sea.
‘‘When the lifeboat arrived on the scene it was considered too dangerous to try to get back down the shoreline so a helicopter from Prestwick was sent,’’ she said.
All six - including the elderly woman - were reported to be fit and well after their ordeal.
