Coastguard Rescue Teams are working alongside Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat in an operation to rescue an injured male who is said to have fallen down a cliff between Shanklin and Ventnor this afternoon (Friday).
Emergency services have descended on Shanklin Esplanade and are heading along the beach towards Luccombe, where it is understood the casualty lays injured.
Meanwhile, Sandown Lifeboat is conducting a search up and down the coast towards Ventnor and back.
The alarm was raised shortly before 14:45 with Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team and Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team both mobilised by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.
UPDATE @ 15:45 – Around a dozen Coastguard Officers have proceeded to Luccombe to assess, treat and package the casualty, who is said to have fallen a considerable height.
2 of the team have been transferred around the rocky terrain by Sandown Lifeboat equipped with extra equipment.
UPDATE @ 16:00 – The situation has developed resulting in Coastguard Rescue 175 being scrambled to the incident. The red and white helicopter is now circling overhead.
Shanklin beach is being cleared of holidaymakers to allow Coastguard 175 to land to transfer additional medics directly to the scene.
UPDATE @ 16:30 – Coastguard Rescue 175 has transferred advanced paramedics from the Esplanade at Shanklin to the casualty at Luccombe.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has now also arrived at Shanklin to assist with the treatment of the seriously injured male. The helicopter is touching down at Luccombe, directly beside the casualty.
2 Coastguard Rescue Teams, a lifeboat, 2 helicopters and paramedics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service are now all involved in rescuing the casualty.
The incident continues.
UPDATE @ 17:22 – Police have been called to Shanklin in a bid to ground a number of drones flying in the area, which are impeding the efforts of the helicopters.
Officers are requesting that any drones being flown are landed immediately.
UPDATE @ 17:30 – The casualty has been airlifted to Southampton General Hospital, bringing about an end to the rescue operation.
Emergency teams are now standing down and making their way back to Shanklin.
Read more at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/man-with-serious-head-injury-airlifted-after-falling-20m-down-cliff/.
Good effort everyone. I only hope it pays off.
it wont let me edit, I meant he was lifted at 17:20 not 15:20, got my 5 oclock and 24 hours mixed up ..
Well I hope the drone users got good footage because as soon as you try and earn money from your photos people will know who put this person in more danger by using emergency airspace