Sennen Cove RNLI Lifeboats assist rescue of injured climber.

Both lifeboats launched at 5.40 pm, the D class inshore lifeboat Amy Brown with 3 crew on board and the all weather Tamar class lifeboat City of London III with 8 crew on board, and made best speed to the location.The Land's End Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team were already on scene, along with a marine doctor.

A careful examination of the casualty revealed that he had a broken femur. There was also concern that he may have sustained some head injuries. A land ambulance was tasked to the area. There was much discussion as to the best and safest way to evacuate the casualty, including the possibility of transferring him to the lifeboats and transporting him to the ambulance at Sennen Cove.

However, in view of his injuries and the risk involved in getting the inshore lifeboat close enough to the bottom of the cliffs in the breaking waves, it was decided that the safest way was to use the Coastguard Rescue helicopter 924 to airlift him directly to hospital.

At about 7.40 pm, the tricky operation was completed, and with the casualty safely aboard the helicopter, he was transferred directly to Derriford Hospital. At 7.45 pm both lifeboats were stood down and they returned to the station at 8.00 pm.

Ends.

Notes to editors

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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 over 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 142,200 lives.

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 142,700 lives.

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