A pensioner in his 60s is currently in hospital following a terrifying 20-foot fall down a cliff near Solent Breezes, just east of Hillhead. The man fell while out walking with a friend and a dog earlier this morning.
Hillhead Coastguard Rescue Team was scrambled to the scene after the National Maritime Coordination Centre in Fareham received a 999 call reporting the incident. South Central Ambulance Service’s specialist Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) paramedics also responded promptly to assist with the rescue.
The injured man was found conscious and breathing at the base of the cliff, suffering from a badly damaged right leg. Paramedics quickly immobilised and packaged the leg before placing him in a specialist stretcher.
Using safety lines, Coastguard rescuers carefully hauled the man back up the cliff face to safety, where ambulance crews were waiting to transport him to hospital for treatment.
A Coastguard spokesman issued a safety warning for those visiting the coast: “If you are heading to the coast, take extra care along cliffs and coastal footpaths. Cliff gradients can be deceptive, especially after wet and icy weather when edges may be slippery or unstable. If you spot someone in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
This incident serves as a stark reminder to stick to marked paths and stay vigilant when near coastal cliffs to avoid similar accidents.
Originally published by UKNIP.
