
Injured casualty rescued by Torbay RNLI following cliff fall near Paignton
The Torbay RNLI inshore volunteer lifeboat crew were tasked at approximately 1pm on Wednesday 17 August to reports of a man who had slipped and fallen from the area of Armchair Rock, on the shoreline at Goodrington, Devon.
The casualty had sustained head and possible spinal injuries so the volunteer crew were asked to help extract him from the rocky area where he had landed. A woman who had been with him when he fell had sustained minor injuries during the incident, but was treated on scene by paramedics.
South Western Ambulance Service, HM Coastguard and the Devon Air Ambulance all attended the scene. The RNLI Torbay all-weather lifeboat crew were also tasked to the incident around 1.30pm to deliver more crew members and specialised equipment to assist with the extraction.
The casualty was stabilised and taken to nearby Broadsands Beach by the inshore lifeboat crew, where both land and air ambulances were waiting. He was then transferred by helicopter to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth for further treatment.
Notes to editors
The photo shows the volunteer RNLI crew manoeuvring the casualty from the shore to the inshore lifeboat, with the assistance of the coastguard rescue team and paramedics. Please credit Torbay Coastguard Rescue Team.
Torbay Lifeboat Station Key Facts:
- Torbay lifeboat station has been operating since 1866. To learn more about the station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/torbay-lifeboat-station
- Coxswain of Torbay Lifeboat is Mark Criddle
- Further information on Torbay Lifeboat Station’s local activities can be found at: http://www.torbaylifeboat.co.uk/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rnlitorbay
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/RNLITorbay
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Victoria Bowen, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07794 043 428 - [email protected], or contact Amy Caldwell, RNLI Public Relations Manager (South) on 07920 818 807 - [email protected] or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.