Two RNLI lifeboats and a rescue helicopter were sent out to ‘rescue’ a Spider-Man balloon which floated over the top of a cliff as its realistic shape left members of the public worried that a person was in danger.
The popular supershape design from Anagram, which features Spider-Man in a crouching position – was spotted by a concerned fisherman who believed it was a skydiver in danger after it drifted over his head and down into the sea.
He called 999 to report the incident to the authorities and a full-scale sea rescue operation was quickly launched, with two RNLI lifeboats from the Sunderland and Seaham Coastguard teams and a rescue helicopter answering the call in Ryhope Dene, Sunderland.
With the help of some binoculars, the crew determined that the balloon object was not a person in distress.
An coastguard spokesman said:
“A member of the public on the clifftop saw something go in the water. He thought it was a parachutist, but couldn’t really make out what it was. We had to work on the worst-case scenario – but in the end we rescued Spider-Man.”
“The incident was a false alarm with good intent and the person did the right thing to call us to confirm no-one was in danger.”
The Spider-Man balloon was recovered by the lifeboat to prevent any further call-outs.
