Just before 2pm both Swanage lifeboats were tasked to a fallen climber
The climber was reported to be in the Anvil Point area and local boat Three Wishes was standing by at the location. The lifeboats launched quickly with both boats arriving on scene within 10 minutes after launching.
The fallen climber was spotted seated on rocks at the base of the cliff and the inshore lifeboat (ILB) approached and dropped two volunteer lifeboat crew ashore with a first aid kit to assess the casualty.
The climber had fallen from around 7m when some gear failed, injuring his ankle. He had managed to climb back to a ledge to wait for help. His climbing partner had ascended the cliff to raise the alarm and the fallen climber had also waved for assistance to the passing vessel Three Wishes.
Due to the location of the climber the best route of extraction was by water. The Helm, Fergus Holley, made a careful approach in gentle rolling swell so that the ILB was alongside the rocks. The casualty was able to move over the rocks to the water’s edge with minimal assistance from the crew to the waiting ILB and make a quick transfer onto the lifeboat.
The casualty was transferred from the rocks to the ILB and then on to the all-weather lifeboat (ALB) for the passage to Swanage where an ambulance was waiting. The ALB was recovered with the casualty on board so the waiting ambulance crew could tend to him and take him to hospital where his injured ankle could be assessed.
With the casualty transferred the lifeboats were washed down, refuelled and readied for service.
We hope the climber makes a good recovery.
ALB Crew: (Coxn) Gavin Steeden, Steve Williams, Sam Aggas, Alan Parmenter, Ben Bamber, Scott Turner.ILB Crew: (Helm) Fergus Holley, Becky Mack, Darren Tomes, Felix Williams.
Shore Crew: (Winchman) Julian Vass, Archie Burgess, Emily Condie, (Winchman) Dave Turnbull, Andy Redout, Nigel Bower, Neil Collings, Neil Brooks, Simon Foote.
For more information please contact:
Becky Mack, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]Charmaine Tideswell, Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]
Regional Media Manager Hatti Mellor, [email protected]
RNLI press office on 01202 336789 or [email protected]
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