TWO climbers were taken to hospital after separate falls from cliffs on Portland.

Simone Randell, 33, was airlifted by coastguard helicopter when she badly sprained her ankle while climbing cliffs below Blacknor South quarry.

The incedent happened at around 4.45pm on Saturday afternoon and Mrs Randell was taken to Dorset County Hospital, in Dorchester where she was met by Wyke coastguard rescue officers and an ambulance.

Her husband Jade Randell, 36, said they had travelled down to Portland from their home in London to spend the day climbing.

Mr Randell said: “My wife is home and ok now – she has a badly sprained ankle.

“She was about 15 metres up the cliff at the time but only fell two metres to where the rope was anchored below her.

“Her natural reaction was to break the fall by sticking her foot out and that’s how the injury happened.

“I called the coastguard with my mobile phone and they were very quick – the guys were absolutely fantastic.

“When we got to the hospital we had to wait three-and-a-half hours for a doctor to diagnose a sprained ankle.”

He added: “We’re experienced climbers and climb at Portland quite a lot.

“The problem with Portland is the access into the climbs is very difficult so even relatively small injuries become an absolute nightmare because you can’t get out.”

In the second incident, a 24-year-old man from Basingstoke sparked an emergency response after he dislocated his knee while climbing on the east side of Portland Bill yesterday morning.

Ambulance crews requested coastguard assistance to get the casualty out from where he had fallen near Rufus Castle just before 11.45am.

A coastguard spokesman said: “Portland Bill coastguard rescue team and coastguard helicopter Rescue 106 were tasked to Blacknor South on the west side of Portland following a report that a female had suffered a fall.

“Once on scene, the units assessed the casualty and she was airlifted to the landing site at Dorset County Hospital in to be met by Wyke coastguard rescue officers and an ambulance.”

He added: “We had another one, a male climber at 11.45am on Sunday.

“The ambulance service alerted us that he had fallen and dislocated his knee. The Portland Bill coastguard rescue team were tasked to assist paramedics carrying the casualty from where he had fallen.”