A MAN who hurt his leg at a West Dorset beauty spot sparked a rescue operation involving firefighters and paramedics.

The man, who had been camping with friends, suffered injuries on Allington Hill in Bridport after falling down a steep embankment.

Ambulance staff that were called to the scene asked for help from firecrews to move the patient from the hill off Hospital Lane due to the isolated location.

He was carried down the hill on Saturday night before being taken to hospital for treatment.

Retained Bridport firefighters were supported by a specialist rope rescue team called in from Weymouth.

A 4x4 vehicle was used to access the area and firefighters then used ropes and a specialist stretcher to bring the injured man, believed to be aged in his 20s and from the local area, down to a waiting ambulance.

Paramedics then took him to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester for X-rays.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service manager Angus Nairn, who led the response, said: “Three people who were camping on the hill were walking through a wooded area when one of them slipped down an embankment and sustained injuries to his knee and lower leg.

“The injuries were causing him severe pain and the fire service was called to assist along with a technical rescue team from Weymouth, which provided specialist equipment to get the person back to the ambulance service at ground level.”

He said the speed and effectiveness of the rescue was down to the ambulance service knowing about the technical rescue service and what specialist equipment they could provide.

Mr Nairn added: “The partnership between us and the ambulance service worked well.”