TWO elderly men who injured themselves clambering over rocks to watch Olympic sailing events in Weymouth were airlifted to hospital by the coastguard helicopter.

It came on the day Transport Secretary Justine Greening visited the resort and denied that scrapping the Portland helicopter would mean any reduction in service.

The island-based aircraft faces the axe in 2017 under government plans. Coastguards scrambled the helicopter and rescue teams yesterday afternoon after two men in their 70s were injured below the Nothe Fort.

It is believed they had climbed round from the Stone Pier to get a good view of the sailing taking place off the Nothe.

Hundreds of people have enjoyed watching sailing from the rocks and avoided paying to be in the official viewing area in Nothe Gardens.

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman said: “It appears one man fell and hit his head on a rock, creating a domino effect and causing the other man to fall over and he sustained a leg injury.”

Because of the difficult access it was decided to airlift both men to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester . The Portland helicopter was on a training flight nearby and diverted to the scene. Ground teams and paramedics secured the casualties before they were winched aboard.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “It is believed the men were walking across the rocks at the base of the Nothe when one fell on the slippery surface of the seaweed-covered rocks, pulling the second man down with him. “The area is not part of the ticketed venue for the Olympic sailing viewing at Weymouth and can be accessed via the stone steps at the pier.”

Grant Armfield, officer in charge of the Weymouth and Portland Borough Council operation centre said: “There are clearly marked signs advising people of slippery rocks and that it is a no entry area. We would strongly advise people to follow the warning signs and to watch the sailing events safely from the beach and enjoy the atmosphere.”

Earlier in the day, Secretary of State for Transport Justine Greening had been in Weymouth to discuss the Olympics .

When asked about the future of the Portland helicopter, she said: “It was a difficult decision to make but it has been the right one for holidaymakers and local businesses.”

She added: “I appreciate it might mean some changes in terms of the local service.”

Miss Greening reiterated that the changes were meant to improve the helicopter service along the south coast.

She said: “The system will improve the helicopters and reduce times to get to rescues.”

Eyewitnesses to the Nothe rescue said it was ‘ridiculous’ to scrap the service in 2017.

Andrew Sharpe from Bournemouth said as a sailor he felt reassured. He said: “I’m very glad they are here. It’s nice to know if you need it, it’s close to hand.”

Fellow sailor Richard McNeil from Brockenhurst, Hampshire, signed an epetition to save the Portland helicopter that morning.