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Teenager rescued after getting stuck on cliff

Gavin Thomas
BBC News
Criccieth CRT Coastline showing Criccieth castle, Gwynedd, brightly lit up. A helicopter can be seen in the sky hovering above the castle and blue and red lights can be seen on the shore. Criccieth CRT
One teenager was rescued from the cliffside, while another teenager who tried to help was rescued from the water

A teenager has been rescued after getting stuck in a "precarious position" on a cliff.

He had been part of a larger group who were jumping into the sea from boulders near Criccieth Castle in Gwynedd on Monday evening, prior to climbing on to a higher ledge and being unable to climb down.

RNLI teams from Criccieth and Abersoch were called just after 21:00 BST, as well as a coastguard helicopter, and rescue teams were able to haul the youngster to safety unharmed.

Another teenager, who tried to help, was also assisted out of the water suffering from the effects of the cold.

Criccieth CRT Nightime shot of RNLI crew on the cliffside. They were blue overalls with yellow stripes on them. A helicopter can be seen hovering above them. A tripod can be seen in the forefront of the image, illuminating the scene. Criccieth CRT
Criccieth's HM coastguard team abseiled down the high cliff near the castle to rescue the teenager

The 13th Century Criccieth Castle stands on a rocky headland overlooking Tremadog Bay, with cliffs rising 30m (98ft) from the sea.

Criccieth RNLI said it was happy to see both teenagers safe after the experience but warned of the risks involved with tombstoning.

In a statement, it said: "Diving off the boulders and cliffs around the castle is common-place during the summer months, however anyone going on to the rocks should be aware of the grave danger.

"It's a high-risk activity that has the potential to end in injury or tragedy," the statement added.