Rescuers save man in cliff fall

A SERIOUSLY-INJURED man was rescued from the base of a cliff in Crackington Haven, near Bude on Sunday afternoon, in an operation which saw emergency services working together.

Bude Coastguard were sent to Rusey Cliffs, a short distance from Crackington Haven, to assist Devon and Cornwall Police who were already involved in the search for a missing man. Boscastle Coastguard and Bude Lifeboat also joined the search.

After spotting the injured man at the base of High Cliff, rescue teams quickly regrouped and a Coastguard helicopter was sent to the scene. Rope rescue technicians prepared for a potential cliff rescue.

The casualty was made comfortable by police and rescue officers who had made their way to him as the first rescue helicopter landed at the top of the cliff. A land ambulance and a doctor also made their way to the scene by road and Cornwall Air Ambulance helicopter also joined the rescue operation.

After a paramedic assessed his condition, the casualty was winched from the base of the cliff by the Coastguard helicopter, and flown directly to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

The casualty was being treated in hospital yesterday, although the extent of his injuries and his condition is unknown.