An injured man was rescued by RNLI and HM Coastguard heroes after spending the night stranded on rocks following a 60-foot fall from a coastal path near Cawsand Bay.
He had fallen the night before and was unable to call for help. It was not until 9.32am on Monday 30 June that a passing kayaker spotted him on the rocks below Fort Picklecombe and raised the alarm.
Volunteer crews from Plymouth RNLI launched both the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Annabel E Jones and the Severn Class all-weather lifeboat Sybil Mullen Glover.
They were joined by Coastguard Rescue Teams from Tamar, Looe and Plymouth, along with officers from Devon and Cornwall Police.
Due to the location and nature of the incident, all options for extracting the casualty proved challenging.
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The RNLI’s volunteer crews respond day and night to emergencies at sea.
They rely entirely on donations from the public to keep lifeboats running, provide essential equipment, and train their crews.
Four RNLI crew members trained in casualty care were sent ashore to assess the man’s injuries. They administered pain relief and immobilised him in a basket stretcher for transfer.
Two Coastguard team members were also taken from Cawsand Beach to the scene by the inshore lifeboat to assist.
The man was moved to the all-weather lifeboat where RNLI crew monitored his condition during the short journey back to Millbay Marina. He was then handed over to South Western Ambulance Service for onward medical treatment.
The RNLI is urging anyone heading out near cliffs or remote coastlines to take extra care and always carry a fully charged mobile phone or other means of raising help.
Wesley Foster, Helm of the inshore lifeboat, said:
“This was a challenging rescue in a tough spot to reach, but thanks to great teamwork from all emergency services, we were able to get the casualty safely aboard and into the care he needed.
"Huge thanks to the kayaker who spotted him and raised the alarm. It really does show how important it is to look out for one another.
"It’s also a good reminder that when you’re heading out near the coast or on the water, always carry a means of calling for help.”
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