VIDEO: Helicopter rescue sparks cliff warning for fishers

Senior coastal officers have warned keen anglers of the ‘unknown’ dangers of fishing from beaches, rocks and piers, following a dramatic rescue in Cornwall last week.

The coastguard helicopter from Newquay was needed to winch a man with a suspected compound fracture to safety on 18 September, after he took a heavy fall down the rocky outcrop at Towan Head.

The man was reportedly fishing with friends but lost his balance and tumbled down to the water’s edge.

Video has no sound  🔇 

The injury to his leg was severe enough that teams decided the helicopter was the only way to safely extract him from the rocks and transfer him quickly for onward medical care.

Martin Leslie, area commander for Cornwall, said: “Fishing in a quiet spot at the edge of a vast sea is one of life’s greatest joys, but there are things we all need to be aware of to ensure it remains a joy and not a curse.

“Rocks look like the perfect place to set up, there’s a flat spot, it’s remote and people will generally leave you alone – but actually rocks can be very dangerous and slippery when wet, there are unknown dangers lurking at cliff edges so always consider whether there is anywhere safer to fish.

“The sea and our coasts can be dangerous places so make sure you wear a suitable flotation device, especially if you are on a pier, jetty or harbour wall.

“Take a torch, wear suitable footwear and take a mobile phone so if something does go wrong, you can call for help.

“And things go wrong, even when you’ve done everything right, so put safety ahead of these unknown dangers – and remember to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard if you need our help.”

Newquay and Padstow coastguard rescue teams, alongside Fistral RNLI lifeguards, also responded to the 999 call from the member of the public shortly after 3pm, and supported the helicopter in extracting the casualty.

He was then transferred to hospital for onward treatment.

Martin added: “He was lucky the tide was out or it could have been much worse.

“So as the weather starts to get colder and wetter out there, please look after yourselves.”

The coastguard helicopter from Newquay was needed to safely extract the man from the rocks. File photo.         Credit: Bob Sharples Photography



It is vital at this time of year to be prepared before you head to the coast, whether planning a walk, some fishing or something else.
  • Consider if it is safe to go out at all.
  • Make sure you check the weather and tides if you decide it is safe to head out, wear appropriate footwear and clothing for your activity, know the sea conditions and stick to coastal paths. 
  • If you take your dog out with you, keep it on a lead at the coast especially near cliff edges. If they get stuck on a ledge, in mud or swept out to sea, don’t go after them. Most dogs make it back safely, but you might not. People often put themselves in danger in a rescue attempt.
  • Carry a mobile phone so that you have a way of making contact in an emergency and make sure you tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.
  • Take a torch and wear suitable footwear.
  • Cliffs can be more unstable than they look, and cliff falls or landslides can happen without warning. Take note and adhere to local warning signs. The cliffs along the UK coastline are continuously eroding, stay away from the edge which could be crumbly or slippery and do not climb cliffs as a short cut to the top. Periods of intense rainfall will often make cliff edges more vulnerable.
  • Don’t ever be tempted to stand near the edge to take a ‘selfie’ as it may be the last photo you ever take.

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