Whitehills, Banffshire. At 2.24 p.m.

on 28th November, 1965, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the police had reported that a man had fallen over the cliff at Troup Head and could be in the sea. The life-boat Helen Wycherley was launched at 2.40 in a strong westerly breeze and a moderate sea. The life-boat on reaching the area carried out an extensive search close inshore without finding the man. Meanwhile two men had succeeded in descending the cliff face and found the body of the man near the foot of the cliff, but as there was a swell the two men and the body could not be taken aboard. The men also could not climb up the cliff owing to fresh snow falls and darkness and they decided to spend the night at the foot of the cliff. The life-boat returned to her station at 6.5 p.m. About three hours later the life-boat put out again with a small boat at the request of the coastguard to attempt to rescue the men, but she was later recalled as it had been found possible to lower food and dry clothing to the trapped men. At 7.30 a.m. the next day the life-boat proceeded to the position, calling in at Gardenstown to pick up four men who had more intimate knowledge of the inshore water at Troup Head, and a life raft. On reaching the head a line was put ashore to which the raft was attached, but the two men on shore elected to wait for a helicopter which was on its way from Lossiemouth. After being winched up to the cliff top the body of the man who had fallen down the cliff was taken aboard the life-boat, which arrived at her station at 4.30 p.m..