A CLIMBER was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after falling down a cliff on Portland.
Portland Coastguard and Wyke Coastguard, along with a coastguard helicopter called Coastguard Rescue 175, responded to reports that a man had fallen seven metres at Blacknor Fort in the Westcliff area of the island after 3pm on Saturday (August 14).
The injured climber appeared to be below Sharpitts Quarry and coastguard crew members assembled at the cliffs above and made their way through the cliff paths as its coastguard helicopter landed nearby.
After assessing the stricken climber, it appeared he had fallen around seven meters and reported suffered a suspected broken leg, pelvis fracture, and a neck of femur break.
A coastguard paramedic stabilised the casualty and administered pain relief before he and the injured climber were winched back aboard the coastguard helicopter. The coastguard helicopter directly flew to Southampton General Hospital’s major trauma unit for further treatment.
A spokesman for Wyke Coastguard said: "The team were tasked at 3.02pm, alongside Portland Bill Coastguard Rescue Team, to reports of a fallen climber near to Blacknor Fort, Westcliff.
"Due to the remote nature of the reported incident, Coastguard Rescue 175, who was reasonably local, was diverted to the scene.
"The casualty location appeared to be below Sharpitts Quarry, so team members assembled at the cliffs above and made their way through the cliff paths to established contact, just as Rescue 175 arrived on scene.
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"Rescue 175 landed on in the adjacent fields where they were met by officers and the paramedic escorted to the casualty.
"Rescue 175, who were low on fuel, then departed scene to quickly refuel at Bournemouth Airport. The casualty had fallen around seven meters and appeared to suffered a suspected broken leg, pelvis fracture, and a neck of femur break.
"The Coastguard paramedic stabilised the casualty and administered pain relief, readying for uplift.
"Upon return, Rescue 175 then winched the casualty and paramedic back aboard and departed directly to Southampton General Hospital’s major trauma unit for further treatment.
"With Rescue 175 departing scene, the cliff paths were then reopened and the team members made their way back to the cliff top for debrief."
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