Anvil Point. Photo Stephen Elson

A climber was airlifted to hospital today after suffering suspected back injuries in a fall on a Dorset sea cliff.

Portland Coastguard’s rescue helicopter went to the aid of the man, believed to be in his sixties, after a call from a member of the public just after 11.15am. The man, who was with three other climbers at the time, fell from a route at Anvil Point, south of Swanage.

The Swanage Coastguard Rescue Team also went to help the stricken climber.

Maddy Davey, watch manager at Portland Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, said: “The helicopter was very quickly on scene with the casualty within 12 minutes of being scrambled and on assessing the casualty it was decided to airlift him to Dorchester where they were met by Coastguard rescue officers from Wyke and the Southwest Ambulance for the final transmission to Dorset County Hospital.”

The climber is believed to be from London.

The watch manager continued: “We would like to remind the public to be cautious when visiting the coastal cliffs due to the recent weather conditions and the risks associated with the accumulation of snow, followed by a thaw and the recent heavy rain.

Two people died at Anvil Point two years ago in a freakish coincidence. Climber Ivan Lissin, of Oxford died while climbing on the cliffs in January 2008 and a woman fell from a point 400m from the site where Coastguards and rescuers were attending to Mr Lissin.