Rescue operation at cliffs in South Shields as man falls '20 feet'

Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team (SCRT), South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade, the North East Ambulance Service and the Tynemouth RNLI were involved in the call-out, which took place shortly before 2am on Saturday.

A coastguard helicopter was also called to the scene, but was later stood down.

A SCRT statement on Saturday said: “The team were called out through the night with South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade (SSVLB) and Tynemouth RNLI lifeboat to reports of a person fallen from the cliff in the Marsden area

“The casualty was unaware of their location so after a quick search they were found at Camels Island, having fallen some 20 feet.

“The teams, working with the inshore lifeboat crew, carried out casualty care until arrival of the Hazardous Area Response Team from North East Ambulance Service.

“Once packaged, the casualty was carried to the cliff top into the awaiting ambulance.

“Coastguard rescue helicopter 912 was also en route but stood down as the injuries were not as serious as first thought.”

A North East Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed that its crews were called at around 1.40am on Saturday to Marsden Grotto.

The Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and a paramedic ambulance were sent to the man’s aid.

The spokesman said: "We worked with the Coastguard, who found the patient, and he was assessed by the HART crew who applied a collar and a pelvic binder as a precaution, then he was taken to South Tyneside Hospital to be checked over."

A Volunteer Life Brigade spokesman added: “The exact location was unknown so teams assembled at the Grotto car park.

“A team member noticed a faint light near Camels Island and directed one of our vehicles to its location.”

The team found the man and administered first aid until the arrival of the ambulance service.

Following treatment, the man was then transported up the cliff path to the ambulance.

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