Climber in hospital after cliffside fall

Friday 16 September 2022

A climber who fell from cliffs at Sorel Point yesterday evening has been transferred to hospital following a major rescue operation last night.

The rescue involved the Ambulance Service, RNLI, Coastguard, Fire and Rescue and a French Search and Rescue Helicopter.

The climber had been scaling the cliffs near Sorel motocross track, when, just before 19:00, he called 999 to report that he had fallen and was trapped with multiple injuries.

The Fire and Rescue Service dispatched a rope rescue response comprising the rope rescue unit, one fire engine, a multi-purpose all-terrain vehicle and duty officer to Sorel Point. A further fire engine was diverted from another emergency call to assist.

A firefighter was lowered to assess the casualty’s condition and evaluate the possibility of lifting him back up to the cliff top.

Pictured: Firefighters were lowered from the cliffs at Sorel Point.

A joint decision was made to request the assistance of a French SAR helicopter, along with St Catherine’s lifeboat and the Fire and Rescue Service’s inshore rescue craft, to ensure that a number of options would be available should the helicopter rescue prove impossible.

A second firefighter was then lowered to assist in stabilising the casualty in readiness for the arriving helicopter.

Pictured: The assistance of a French SAR helicopter was needed.

Fire and Rescue Service Duty Officer, Paul McGrath explained that the joint rescue plan was put together comprising Ambulance, RNLI, Coastguard, Fire and Rescue and the French helicopter in what was a complex and challenging incident.

He expressed thanks to the French helicopter and emergency partners for assisting with this successful rescue.