Daddyhole Cove. Photo: Steve Fareham CC-BY-SA-2.0
A climber was rescued from a sea cliff after falling more than 60ft and breaking his thigh when his equipment failed to arrest a fall.
The 22-year-old climber was on the main cliff at Daddyhole Cove, Torquay, Devon, when he fell 20m from near the top of the cliff about 7pm on Monday.
His climbing companions raised the alarm and South West Ambulance control requested help from Brixham Coastguard.
The Portland Coastguard helicopter was scrambled and the Torbay and Berry Head Coastguard Rescue Teams also went to the scene.
The Coastguard AgustaWestland 139 rescue helicopter airlifted the casualty to the top of the cliff where he was stabilised by paramedics and then transferred to Torbay Hospital for further treatment by ambulance.
Brixham Coastguard watch manager, David Colmer, said: “This group had gone climbing with the best intentions, but equipment failure caused this serious accident.
“This man was fortunate that his group knew to contact the emergency services which enabled him to get the quick medical attention he required.”
The main limestone cliff at Daddyhole Cove has 27 recognised climbing routes.
The Portland Coastguard helicopter base is due to close in 2018. More than 15,000 people have so far signed an online petition opposing the closure.
Kerry Cooper
16 April 2013"equipment failure caused this serious accident" this is a serious thing if true? Are you sure it wasn't the fact that the climber did not know how to use it properly...?
Ed Evans
15 April 2019I'm the climber who fell from this route, there was more than one factor for reason of the accident. Rock fall, moisture being the main contenders. The only people who truly know what happend that day was myself and my belayer. I have recently filed more detail on the accident through the BMC. gutted I didn't top out but so thankful to all people involved in the rescue. I have made a full recovery and even climbed again.