A woman who was rock climbing in Cornwall suffered head and shoulder injuries after falling around 30 feet on Friday.
The volunteer crew of Sennen Cove RNLI were tasked by HM Coastguard Falmouth at 10.45am on August 14, following reports that a rock climber had fallen at Pedn-men-du.
It was reported that the casualty had fallen around 30 feet, but her fall was halted by her safety rope. Although this prevented a serious impact at the base of the cliff, she suffered head and shoulder injuries.
Sennen Cove RNLI’s D-class inshore lifeboat Arangy quickly launched with a crew of four under the command of RNLI volunteer Izzy Puddiphatt.
Penzance Coastguard Rescue Team, Lands’ End Coastguard Search and Rescue Team, a crew from South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and Cornwall Air Ambulance were also tasked to the scene.
The lifeboat was the first to arrive at Pedn-men-du, so brother and sister RNLI volunteers Tristan and Tamsyn Gorvin were placed ashore to assess the climber’s condition and begin casualty care.
As the tide was approaching low water, the other emergency services were able to walk around the base of the cliff to reach the casualty, guided by the expertise of RNLI volunteer Paul Rimmer.
After receiving casualty care for her head and shoulder injuries and undergoing a thorough assessment by paramedics at the scene, the climber was deemed fit to be extracted from the area on foot, with the care and guidance of the attending emergency services.
The casualty was then handed into the care of South Western Ambulance Service and taken to hospital for further treatment.
Sennen Cove RNLI Coxswain Nick Hichens commented: “All the emergency services worked together brilliantly to give the casualty the best possible care at the time.
“Tristan and Tamsyn Gorvin did a great job providing casualty care until further help arrived. It’s testament to their hard work and training, not only as lifeboat crew but also as RNLI lifeguards. It’s at times like this when all this hard work pays off and makes a difference to those in need of help.”
Woman Suffers Head and Shoulder Injuries in 30ft Cornwall Climbing Fall