PORTLAND COASTGUARD COORDINATE RECOVERY OF INJURED MAN FROM THE MARMOLATA BUTTRESS NEAR ANVIL POINT

Portland Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public using the emergency telephone at Anvil Point Lighthouse to report a climber in difficulties over the cliff at Marmolata Buttress.

The climbers had requested an ambulance but no further information was available. In view of the 35 metre height of the cliff, the Coastguard Helicopter Rescue was scrambled, Swanage RNLI Lifeboat launched and the Swanage Coastguard Rescue Team tasked.

On arrival on scene, it was established that one of the climbers had suffered a fall and a suspected broken rib. He was therefore unable to climb back up the cliff. The Coastguard Helicopter Rescue, after preparing the casualty, airlifted him to the Poole Hospital Landing Site to be met by Poole Coastguard Rescue Officers and Ambulance for onward transportation to Poole Hospital.

Swanage Lifeboat recovered their crewman who had also attended the casualty. Swanage Coastguards monitored a further three climbers until they were safely back at the top of the cliff.

Portland Coastguard Watch Manager Maddy Davey, said,


“In this particular area, there is little or no mobile phone coverage. In areas like this it is advisable to have another means of raising the alarm, for example an additional person, not involved in the climbing activity, who could immediately inform the Coastguard of an incident.”

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