Helicopter rescue for woman taken ill on packed Durdle Door beach

As hot weather drew crowds flocking to Durdle Door in Dorset, a woman who had been stung by a jellyfish and then fainted, had to be airlifted from the beach to get to a waiting ambulance.

The Lulworth and Kimmeridge Coastguard teams were called just after 2 pm on Sunday 18th July 2021 to move beachgoers, so the coastguard helicopter could land.

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Coastguard helicopter rescue at a packed beach at Durdle Door(
Kimmeridge Coastguard

People on Durdle Door beach were asked to move to allow the helicopter to land

“The person’s condition had deteriorated”

Kimmeridge Coastguard reported:

“With help from Purbeck Police and Lulworth Rangers, a very fast beach clear was carried out after an eta of just four minutes was given for the arrival of rescue helicopter CG175, in order for them to safely land on the beach.

“The person’s condition had deteriorated and an immediate airlift was required to carry the person to an awaiting ambulance at the car park.”

Coastguard helicopter rescue at a packed beach at Durdle Door
Kimmeridge Coastguard

Beachgoers at Durdle Door just after the coastguard helicopter took off

Closed the approach roads

Just before the incident, Dorset Council, as the highways authority, had closed the approach roads to the area in an effort to deter any more visitors because the car parks were full and there was little space left on the beaches.

Kimmeridge Coastguard added:

“A huge thanks to our colleagues from Purbeck Police for assisting us with an escort through the queues around Lulworth due to the roads being closed because of full car parks.”

Kimmeridge Coastguard vehicle
Kimmeridge Coastguard

A heavily pregnant woman

Shortly after returning home, the team was called out to Lulworth Cove to a heavily pregnant woman suffering from pains and discomfort.

This time the decision was made, due to the low level of risk, for the woman to be taken to Dorchester Hospital by her family, for further assessment.

Watch the helicopter rescue

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