A climber who fell down a cliff near Grosnez Castle was hauled back to safety during a dramatic three-hour rescue operation last night which continued as darkness fell.
Firefighters used specialist rope techniques to bring the injured man up from the bottom of a cliff-face gully last night, while a UK helicopter called in to assist ultimately helped illuminate the scene from above.
Emergency services were alerted shortly before 7pm on Thursday after receiving reports that a man had fallen while climbing near the castle.
Difficult terrain
Fire crews from Rouge Bouillon were immediately sent to the scene, with additional on-call firefighters from the Western Fire Station joining the response.
They quickly found the casualty in “difficult and challenging terrain” at the bottom of a gully and provided medical attention.
However, his position and the steep and complex terrain meant getting him back to safety would be no simple task.
Jersey Coastguard requested a UK helicopter to help with a potential extraction while firefighters began using their specialist line-rescue equipment to move the man.
Race against the darkness
Using rope-rescue techniques, crews were eventually able to bring the casualty up the cliff themselves.
The helicopter remained involved and provided additional illumination as darkness fell, while Coastguard personnel and drone operators also supported the operation.
More than three hours after the initial call, the casualty was handed over to paramedics and taken to hospital.
He is understood to be in a “stable condition” and recovering from injuries “consistent with a fall from height”, Jersey Fire and Rescue said.
Station Manager Ryan Hall said the rescue demonstrated the “experience and professionalism” of the crews involved.
“…And their efforts are to be commended,” he added.
“The incident also highlighted the collaborative working amongst the emergency responders and the support provided by all our emergency colleagues.”
Praise for the rescuers
The rescue prompted a wave of praise for the emergency services on social media, with Islanders describing the response as an “amazing” team effort.
One commenter said “we are so lucky to have such incredible people in our emergency services”, while another praised the “great emergency work and team effort”.
Others simply offered their thanks to everyone involved, with one adding that they hoped the casualty would make a “speedy and full recovery”.
