Helicopter rescue: Stair Hole climber airlifted to safety

It triggered a large scale emergency response.

Author: Sophie CridlandPublished 8th Nov 2020

Coastguard crews from Lulworth and Kimmeridge were called out at 2:45pm yesterday (Saturday 8th November) to reports of a man stuck 70ft up Stair Hole cliff.

The man had become stuck after climbing up from the beach. After stopping and and not being able to go any further the man called the Dorset Wiltshire Fire and Rescue service.

Teams from Weymouth, Wareham and Poole arrived at the scene.

Also sent to the scene were Coastguard Rescue's from 187 (St Athan based) who were training over Barnstable, North Devon.

A spokesperson from Lulworth coastguard said:

"While the aircraft was on passage, the Fire and rescue teams set up a rope rescue at the top of Stair Hole. Due to the extremely inaccessible location of the gentleman, the attempt was unsuccessful. Rescue 187 arrived on scene shortly after.

"The helicopter managed to carefully manoeuvre their winchman to firstly traverse and then come from below the casualty, securing him in a harness. The pair were flown a short distance to a safe location, the winchman/paramedic then assessed the man for injuries.

"Thankfully, other than being a little cold and visibly shocked, the man was none the worse off for his ordeal.

"Rescue 187 landed on the green at Lulworth Cove, retrieved their winchman and then returned to South Wales."