Reports of climbers in the sea at Anvil Point near Swanage in Dorset, triggered a multi agency response including the air ambulance, coastguard helicopter, ambulance paramedics, three lifeboats, police, and volunteer coastguard teams.
The incident in which a man in his 50s sadly died, happened around 12 noon on Thursday 15th May 2025 along a cliff rockface regularly scaled by climbers.
The cliffs below Anvil lighthouse are a popular destination for experienced climbers
One climber had to be recovered from the sea
Both Swanage lifeboats launched quickly with the D class inshore lifeboat arriving first at the scene. The crew found one climber in the water.
He was recovered from the sea and taken by the inshore lifeboat crew to the larger Shannon class all weather lifeboat, which had just arrived.
As he was given emergency treatment by the crew, a paramedic from the coastguard helicopter was lowered onto the lifeboat to take over the medical treatment.
The climber was quickly prepared for an airlift. The coastguard helicopter Rescue 175 then lifted the man from the all weather lifeboat and took him to the paramedics at the air ambulance, which had landed at the top of the cliffs at Anvil Point.
The man received further medical attention by the air ambulance paramedics but sadly was declared dead at the scene.
Coastguard teams from Lulworth, St Albans and Swanage assisted at Anvil Point.
The Swanage inshore lifeboat was first to launch and quickly headed across Durlston Bay to Anvil Point
Swanage’s all weather lifeboat launched shortly afterwards and followed in the path of the inshore lifeboat
“The death is not being treated as suspicious”
A Dorset Police spokesperson said:
“Dorset Police received a report at 12.11 pm on Thursday 15th May 2025 of a climber in need of medical attention in the area of Anvil Point near Swanage. Officers attended, along with the ambulance service, RNLI and Coastguard.
“Very sadly, the climber – a man aged in his 50s – was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin has been informed. The death is not being treated as suspicious.
“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones at this very difficult time.”
The coastguard helicopter is often called in to assist climbers in trouble at Anvil Point due to its remote location
Second climber had also been in the water
Meanwhile, Swanage’s inshore lifeboat (ILB) returned to the cliffs to assess the condition of the second climber, who had been in the sea but was now sitting on the rocks.
Swanage Lifeboat Station reported
“They had also been in the water so it was decided to evacuate them for a medical assessment.
“The ILB took them from the cliff and handed them to a passing lifeboat, 17-27, as a more comfortable platform for the trip back to Swanage.”
RNLI’s Severn class lifeboat 17-27 had been travelling to Poole when it took a detour to assist in the emergency.
Both Swanage’s Shannon lifeboat and the larger Severn lifeboat returned to Swanage Bay
Met by ambulance crew
All three lifeboats returned to Swanage Bay and the second climber was brought ashore at Swanage Lifeboat Station’s pontoon, where they were met by a waiting ambulance crew for a routine medical check.
Referring to the other climber, Swanage Lifeboat Station said:
“Our thoughts are with the climber’s friends and family.”
