Group rescued from Dorset coast after travelling 110 miles for hike
A group who flouted coronavirus lockdown rules and travelled 110 miles to the Dorset coast had to be rescued when they got into difficulty.
Emergency crews including lifeboats and a helicopter were called after three men from Slough got stuck at Old Harry Rocks near Swanage when the tide cut them off.
Rescuers helped two members of the group from the cliffs after a third person swam to Studland Bay to get help on Thursday.
Emergency services received a call at around 7.45pm.
Read more: Cars heading to Brighton beach turned back around at police checkpoints
The two people rescued from the cliffs suffered cuts but all three were later cleared by medics.
The group had got stuck after walking from Studland after they had parked, a Swanage coastguard report confirmed.
Latest coronavirus news, updates and advice
Live: Follow all the latest updates from the UK and around the world
Fact-checker: The number of COVID-19 cases in your local area
6 charts and maps that explain how COVID-19 is spreading
Swanage RNLI urged the public to not break lockdown restrictions.
A spokesman said: “To help protect the public and our volunteers, we urge people to take care at the coast and follow government guidelines to travel and exercise close to home.”
Dorset Police confirmed the group had been reported for contravening COVID-19 regulations.
Read more: Chester Zoo pays tribute to NHS by naming baby penguins after hospitals
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was expected to announce only very modest changes in detailing his “road map” for easing the lockdown on Sunday evening, but there are concerns mixed messaging has prompted the public to head outside.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said it would be “absolutely tragic” if people damaged the success social distancing has had on tackling coronavirus by leaving home to enjoy the warm weather.
Speaking at the Downing Street press conference, he said the Government would be proceeding with “an unbelievable degree of caution”.
Coronavirus: what happened today?
Click here to sign up to the latest news, advice and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter
