 |
Southern 098/01
20 May 2001
CLIFF CLIMB PARTY INSTRUCTORS FALL
Portland Coastguard
was alerted by a member of the public at 11:35 a.m. on 20 May 2001
when two cliff climbers were seen to fall down the cliff at Anvil
Point near Swanage. One of the climbers fell around 50 ft and had
suspected spinal injuries.
Portland Coastguard scrambled the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter,
'Hotel Lima' and tasked the Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team (CRT)
from Swanage and the Swanage RNLI inshore lifeboat, which was out
on exercise at the time was requested to attend. |
Coastguard rescue helicopter
|
The
climbing party comprised of two instructors and three students aged
20, 14, and 12. At the time of the accident the instructors were
demonstrating a cliff climbing technique, one became detached from
the rope falling 50ft. He fell onto the second instructor causing
him to fall about 20 ft from a ledge, breaking both ankles.
The Coastguard Rescue Helicopter airlifted the second instructor to
Poole General Hospital. The Rescue Helicopter returned with a
paramedic and following initial treatment on scene also airlifted
the instructor to Poole General Hospital.
The three students were taken from the base of the cliffs by the
inshore lifeboat and landed safely in Swanage where local Police
took care of them.
Portland Coastguard Watch Manager, Sarah Etheridge said, "The
exact cause of this incident is not known at this time, we stress to
all climbers whether experienced or novices to take extreme caution
at all times." |
|
|
