Portland Coastguard received a call from Dorset Fire Control at 5.00 p.m. on 10 October 2001 alerting them to a car which had fallen about thirty feet over the cliff at Osmington Mills about four miles east of Weymouth.

The Coastguard immediately scrambled Rescue Helicopter `Whiskey Bravo' from Portland and Wyke Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) were sent to join the other emergency services already on scene.

At 17.17pm the helicopter arrived on scene and the winchman was lowered to assess the situation.

A single occupant was found in the car conscious with possible spinal injuries. It was necessary for the Fire and Rescue units to use cutting equipment to enable the man to be removed from the car. While this was taking place paramedics were administering first aid. Once the man was removed from his vehicle he was put in a stretcher, lifted to the helicopter and flown direct to West Dorset County Hospital.

Portland Watch Manager, Jim Anderson said: "There was a very rapid response from all rescue units and the excellent inter-service co- operation helped in the swift recovery of the gentlemen. The weather on scene was reported as south westerly force 5 winds, overcast with good visibility."