A major search and rescue operation is underway in the East Wight area tonight (Saturday) as teams respond to reports of a casualty who has fallen from a cliff.
HM Coastguard has tasked Bembridge, Ventnor and the Needles Coastguard Rescue Teams, alongside Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat and Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 175, to the scene between Bonchurch and Shanklin.
The alarm was raised at around 21:30.
Teams are attempting to locate the casualty who is understood to be seriously injured, with the Rescue Helicopter giving those on the ground a view from above in a bid to aid their searching.
Coastguard Rescue Teams have situated themselves at various points between Shanklin and Ventnor.
UPDATE @ 22:25 – Search and rescue teams have successfully located the casualty on the Shanklin side of Luccombe.
The injured male, along with 2 others, have been loaded onto Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat.
Coastguard Rescue Teams have now relocated to Shanklin Esplanade where the trio are to be transferred onto the beach.
UPDATE @ 22:30 – In a twist to the incident, crews have rushed to reports of a possible person in the water further along the Esplanade.
However, having carried out a search of the area near the amusements, Coastguard Rescue Teams, Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat and Coastguard Helicopter 175 have all deemed the situation to be a false alarm with good intent.
UPDATE @ 22:35 – The casualty has now been unloaded from the lifeboat and is being assessed by paramedics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service.
Coastguard Helicopter Rescue 175 continues to hover in the area.
UPDATE @ 22:45 – Coastguard Rescue Teams are now beginning to stand down from the incident having successfully retrieved the casualty and handed him to paramedics.
The casualty’s condition is not currently known but it’s understood that they have sustained significant injuries during their ordeal.
UPDATE @ 23:30 – The injured casualty has been placed into the rear of the ambulance and is being conveyed to St Mary’s Hospital via land ambulance.
All other assets are now standing down from the incident.
A spokesperson for Ventnor Coastguard Rescue team has said:
“Please avoid the cliffs in these areas they are extremely unstable.”
Tonight’s incident has occurred just a day after a person fell 20m down a cliff close to the same location.
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/.
Get help faster by giving emergency services your exact location by using ///what3words.
what3words have divided the world into 3m squares and given each square a unique combination of three words, which means when you are in a remote area of the Isle of Wight you can get assistance much quicker without the need for local knowledge.
I hope the person is ok but something needs to be done as the second one in 2 days. When will people learn to stay clear of the cliff edge
There’s not much that could be done – if they fence it, people will only climb over or break it – you can’t fix stupidity!
This is the 2 nd person to fall over the cliff in 24 hrs or so what’s wrong with people staying away from the cliff edge
Did someone else fall off this cliff like two days ago?!
Yes Baz one fell over the cliff on Friday afternoon and now this one
This looks a good place for a selfiee e e e e!…