A male located over the edge of the cliff at Culver Down has been rescued by HM Coastguard and flown to hospital tonight (Thursday).
It was at around 18:00 that emergency services first responded to Culver Down, near Sandown, amid concerns for the welfare of an individual.
Bembridge and Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Teams were mobilised to the incident, alongside Police, with Bembridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launched to assist.
Coastguard Rescue 175 helicopter, out on local area training, stood by in Sandown Bay for a time before departing, only to return an hour later as the incident developed.
The Coastguard’s Senior Coastal Operations Officer was also mobilised to the scene to coordinate the response.
The casualty was located on a ledge off a footpath leading down to Yaverland, prompting a near 2-hour full rope rescue operation to bring him to safety.
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service responded to the incident by dispatching their new specialist patient transport ambulance, an ambulance crew and an operational commander – rendezvousing at Sandown Bay Holiday Centre.
After assessing the male casualty on the clifftop, the decision was made to transfer him by Coastguard helicopter to Seaclose Park, Newport for onward conveyance to St Mary’s Hospital.
Rescue 175 landed on the downland before taking off for Newport at 20:40, arriving at Seaclose just a few minutes later – met by Coastguards from Needles Coastguard Rescue Team.
The incident is now drawing to a close with the casualty receiving the appropriate medical treatment.
