Coastguard Rescue 175 has been scrambled to assist the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service with an injured male at the Worsley Obelisk on Appuldurcombe Down this lunchtime (Thursday).
The incident has occurred on a remote area of downland between the villages of Whitwell and Wroxall.
The call for assistance was received at 11:50 with Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team deployed to secure a helicopter landing site. At around 12:10 the helicopter was scrambled from Lee-on-Solent, flying directly to the scene.
UPDATE @ 12:46 – The casualty has been airlifted to Seaclose Park in Newport, where Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team have manned a 2nd helicopter landing site.
The injured man is to be conveyed by land ambulance the short distance to St Mary’s Hospital.
If you or someone else is in difficulty on the coast or at sea, or if you spot what you think may be unexploded ordnance, then dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Further safety information can be found at https://coastguardsafety.campaign.gov.uk/.
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The obelisk is about 70 feet high and possibly (until further news comes in) the man had climbed it and unfortunately fell off. Let’s hope it’s not a serious injury and he makes a quick recovery.
What a pratt you have obviously never seen it otherwise you would know it is barely
3-4 metres in height. I can see it from my lounge window.
He obviously fell down the path behind which is very uneven and dangerous to walk down when wet.
Never been there,never seen it but in history it states that it was nearer 100 foot when originally built. A while ago it was struck by lightening and rebuilt by volunteers from a nearby village.Yes you are right when you say it’s no more than 4 metres high now (missed that). Still a nasty height to fall from if that’s what happened.
The obelisk was erected in 1774 in memory of Sir Robert Worsley who died in 1747. In 1831 the monument was struck by lightening and partially demolished. It remained in that state until 1983 when it was restored although not to its original height. This was with assistance of the Isle of Wight Council and the people of Godshill Parish. Although not 100% proven it was generally thought the original height was nearer to 70 foot. This info comes from a person who knows more about the Isle of Wight than most.
Very silly if he climbed to the top, as slippery granite, and even a 3m fall onto the concrete surrounding it could cause serious injury.
Some will do anything for an impressive snapshot.
There was a helipad at St. Mary’s , is it not there anymore? Just wondering why the person was not taken straight their instead of going by ambulance.