Swansea Coastguard received an urgent 999 call from a member of the public at 4:44 p.m. on 6 December 2000 from Graham Lucas, a 22 year old man who had fallen into a 20ft gully after veering off the 'Tarka Trail', a coastal path just north of Fremington in Barnstaple.

Mr. Lucas became lost at just after 4:30 p.m. as light fell and left the trail in an effort to find a short cut when he took an awkward fall into the gully. Mr Lucas then made a 999 call and was put through to Swansea Coastguard who immediately began to co-ordinate a search on his behalf.

The Instow Coastguard Team based in north Devon, headed directly to the scene to begin the search while Coastguard Bernie Kemble based in Swansea remained on the phone to the casualty who fortunately had a full battery on his mobile.

During this time Mr. Lucas began to complain of dizziness and tingling to the Coastguard who then recognised that the injuries were more severe than originally thought. The RAF Rescue Helicopter based at Chivenor which was on exercise in Bideford Bay was immediately tasked to the scene to assist in the search but was hindered by the dense foliage on the ground and the fact that the casualty was unable to move to attract attention.

The Coastguard that was in communication with the casualty was able to hear the helicopter moving overhead and it soon became clear that it was necessary for the winchman to lower himself to locate the casualty.

At the same time the Instow Coastguard Team arrived on scene assisted by two members of the public, Mr. Stephen Keen and Mr. Gary Horsham from Bideford and eventually found the casualty at 5:20 p.m.

Difficulties were compounded when the RAF Rescue Helicopter was unable to airlift the casualty from his position and had to return to base for two extra crewmembers.

Upon return to the scene the helicopter crew and Coastguards transferred Mr. Lucas on a stretcher down a 30-metre slope to the beach area, where he was eventually airlifted and taken to the North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple.

Perry Anderson, Watch Manager at Swansea Coastguard said, "This was a difficult search and rescue due to the casualty's position, it was difficult for the helicopter to pin point his location.

"We owe today's success to the intensive search carried out by the Coastguard team, RAF Rescue Helicopter crew and the help the two members of the public provided and would like to extend our thanks to all."