Multi-agency response to rescue fallen climber
Swanage lifeboats, along with three cliff rescue teams, a coastguard helicopter and Dorset & Somerset air ambulance, were all scrambled to day when a climber fell from cliffs near to Dancing Ledge
The casualty was quickly evacuated in a stretcher to the ALB while casualty care continued. Cliff rescue teams from Swanage, St Albans and Kimmeridge were arriving, and, shortly afterwards, the Dorset and Somerset air ambulance (DSAA) flew overhead and landed on the lower ledge of Dancing Ledge. Meanwhile, a second climber from the group was brought aboard the ALB to be checked over.
The ILB was able to quickly transfer two DSAA paramedics from Dancing Ledge to the ALB to take over care of the casualty and, tragically, the paramedics declared that the casualty had not survived the fall.
Our thoughts are with the casualty's family and friends at this time.
ALB Crew: (Coxn) Dave Turnbull, Steve Williams, Gavin Steeden, John Deas, Anthony Corben, Becky Mack, Roydon Woodford
ILB Crew: (Helm) Darren Tomes, Matthew Steeden, Alan Parmenter, Ant Hole
Shore Crew: (Winchman) Luke Kill, (Head Launcher) Gary Buglass, Nigel Bower, (Winchman) Phil Palmer, Jamie Trumper
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Becky Mack, Swanage RNLI Volunteer Press Officer on 07812 558487 or at [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.