Teenager who fell from cliffs named

It is believed that Leah lost her footing on cliffs near the Blue Dolphin holiday park.

She was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary where she is in a “critical but stable condition”, police said.

A spokesman for Blue Dolphin Holiday Park said: “Leah’s father alerted our security team immediately after his daughter’s fall from the cliff path.

“The Coastguard and police, assisted by a Sea King helicopter, were quickly on the scene.

“We are continuing to offer assistance to Leah’s family and friends through this difficult and painful time.”

The incident happened before 8pm and North Yorkshire Police and the Coastguard were dispatched to the scene within ten minutes.

A lifeboat crew was also called out to the scene in Filey but was not needed as the girl landed on land and not in the sea.

It is not known how the girl, who was taken to hospital in Hull, East Yorks, came to fall from the cliff.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed on Friday morning that the 15-year-old girl was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary, with head injuries and police say she is in a critical but stable condition.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “The UK Coastguard were contacted on Thursday evening by a father who witnessed his teenage daughter accidentally falling over a cliff edge.

“Coastguard Rescue Teams training nearby were able to get on scene within 10 minutes.

“Specially trained cliff technicians were able to descend to the girl and administer first aid until the Coastguard rescue helicopter arrived on scene.”

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency added: “If you are out on the coast this

Easter break make sure that you are properly equipped for walking along coastal paths.

“In particular remember to wear sturdy shoes or boots and check the weather forecast before you set out.

“Do not attempt to climb up or down cliffs unless you are properly equipped and trained to do so. Do not attempt to climb cliffs as a short cut back to the top. Do not attempt self-rescue.

“If you get into difficulty, call 999 and ask for the coastguard. Carry a mobile phone, tell people where you are going and when you expect to return.”

A retired woman who owns a caravan just moments away from the cliff where

15-year-old Leah Price fell has said she heard crying and shouting before she rushed outside.

She said: “A man, who I think was her dad, was in such a hurry to get to the cliff that he flew passed our van in a great big transit van and nearly tore the corner off our van.

“I could hear crying and shouting, so I went outside to see what was happening.

I could hear crying in a van, it was such a drama.

“It happened right at the back of our caravan. We back onto the field and then there is the cliff edge.

“We first thought that somebody had thrown themselves over.

“Where she went over it was a bit of a slope whereas further up it is more of a sheer drop.”

The holidaymaker said coastguards arrived within ten minutes and there was a scene of over a dozen emergency service-people on the field.

She said: “It was still daylight and we were thinking ‘please find her before the light goes.’ The coastguard was shining their headlights over the cliff and a helicopter came and swept around and went to the sea. Others were hammering things into the ground to attach ropes to.

“A lot of dog walkers walk on the path called Cleveland Way where she had been walking. It is a couple of feet from the path to the cliff.

“I don’t know why she was walking so close to the edge.

“I hope that this will mean they put fences up, especially where the vans are.”

Another holidaymaker who owns a van at the site said: “I think they were on holiday here. Nobody knows them so I don’t think they own a van here.

“It makes my stomach to turn over to think that somebody’s child went over the cliff.”

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson added this afternoon: “We can now advise that the girl who fell from the cliff at Filey on the night of 9

April 2015 is from the Nottingham area.

“She remains in a critical but stable condition in Hull Royal Infirmary.”