Douglas RNLI called out to assist in the recovery of a cliff fall casualty

A post incident report from Douglas Coastguard recounts the circumstances of the call. 'Douglas Coastguards were called to a serious incident at the back of Douglas Head Light House in which a 15 year old lad slipped and fell to the rocks below. On arrival we were met with a semi conscious casualty on the rocks below and asked for Douglas Lifeboat to be launched to assist'

In a flat calm sea and with good visibility Coxswain Nel Corran took the all-weather lifeboat, Sir William Hillary, out of Douglas harbour around to the cliffs below Douglas lighthouse.

Volunteer crew members Peter Washington and Andy Cowin used the lifeboat’s daughter boat, an inflatable dinghy, to go ashore first to review and discuss the situation with the Coastguards.

Taking advantage of the flat calm sea the decision was taken to bring the Douglas lifeboat as close into the cliff face as possible so the casualty could be transferred directly onto the lifeboat.

With the casualty safely onboard the lifeboat made the short journey back to harbour where an ambulance was waiting to take the casualty to Noble's Hospital.

Notes to editors
Caption for attached photo: Casualty being transferred to the all-weather lifeboat Sir William Hillary. Credit: RNLI/Douglas Coastguard

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Mike Howland, Douglas RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07624496029, email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Regional Media Officer Ireland on 00353876483547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Regional Media Manager Ireland on 00353871254124 or [email protected]

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.