Couple rescued in Lancashire cliffhanger
Couple rescued in Lancashire cliffhanger
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Monday, 29, May 2006 07:53
Emergency services conducted a dramatic rescue attempt to help a man dangling from a cliff in Lancashire this afternoon.
Throbshaw Point near Heysham was the location for the rescue, which involved the Morecambe Coastguard Team the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Rope Rescue Team and the Cumbrian Ambulance Service.
A couple in their twenties had got into difficulties after venturing too far over a cliff on the coast. While the female had fallen down the precipice, sustaining "severe head injuries", the male was left clinging for dear life.
An RAF helicopter on routing training nearby was dispatched to rescue the male, while the female was flown by air ambulance to nearby Lancashire Royal Infirmary for treatment.
"This was a text book rescue which involved units from varying services and it all went like clockwork," said Colin Brook, watch manager at Liverpool Coastguard.
"We are extremely grateful, not only to our own team, but also to our colleagues in the fire, ambulance and RAF for their assistance in this incident."
He revealed that while the male was not seriously hurt the female's injuries were "serious" but "not life threatening".
He took the opportunity to warn walkers about the dangers of straying too close to cliffs.
"Although the temptation to look over the edge is great, please stay away from cliff edges as they could very quickly give way under your feet, as happened in this case," he said.
The accident occurs on a day when walkers launched a campaign to open up access to coastal paths. The Ramblers' Association argued today that paths should be guaranteed along all sections of the UK coast above the high water mark.