Injured climber rescued from Purbeck cliff ledge

The coastguard rescue helicopter 175 airlifted a man to hospital, who had dislocated his knee while climbing along the coast, half way between Anvil Point and Dancing Ledge.

The Swanage and St Albans Coastguard teams also attended the incident, which happened in the afternoon on Friday 14th May 2021.

Western mile markers along the Purbeck Coast
Caroline Abbott

The cliffs along the Purbeck Coast near the western mile markers, which are towers to help ships measure their speed

Area known as the amphitheatre

The man had been climbing in the area known as the amphitheatre, near the western mile markers, when he suffered the injury.

Despite his dislocated knee, he had made it to a cliff ledge to wait until the emergency services arrived.

Climber airlifted to hospital
Swanage Coastguard

“Lowered the winchman to the ledge”

Swanage Coastguard reported:

“The coastguard teams set up for a rope rescue but were hampered by thick undergrowth. The air ambulance attended but with Rescue 175 on route, departed to another incident.

“The coastguard helicopter arrived and lowered the winchman to the ledge, providing medical treatment before airlifting the man to Poole Hospital.”

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