A multi-agency emergency response went to the rescue of a boy with suspected spinal injuries after he reportedly jumped off rocks into the sea at Man O’ War Cove near Durdle Door in Dorset.
The incident happened on the Lulworth Estate at around 3 pm on Monday 12th August 2024 on a warm and sunny day when the beach was busy with visitors.
Kimmeridge coastguard team cleared the Man O’ War Beach to aid the landing of the air ambulance
Difficult to access beach
Man O’ War Beach is in the cove next to Durdle Door – a much photographed limestone arch – which attracts lots of holidaymakers but can only be reached by walking down a steep flight of steps cut into the cliff.
Knowing the difficulty to access the cove, the coastguard sent its search and rescue helicopter as well as coastguard teams from nearby Kimmeridge and Lulworth.
Weymouth RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was first on the scene and managed to pick up the coastguard paramedic, who was winched down from the rescue helicopter and then transported to the beach
“Suspected spinal injury”
The RNLI was also requested and Weymouth Lifeboat Station responded to the call.
A spokesperson for the RNLI said:
‘Weymouth RNLI’s inshore and all weather lifeboats launched on Monday 12th August to reports of a male casualty near Lulworth Cove.
“The lifeboats launched just after 3.15 pm following reports that a young male had jumped off rocks into the water at Man O’ War Beach and suffered a suspected spinal injury.
“The inshore lifeboat was first on scene, and transferred a coastguard helicopter paramedic to the beach.”
Visitors watched the emergency rescue from the top of the cliff, as the air ambulance, with great skill, managed to land safely on the beach
Critical care team assisted at the scene”
By this time, a fire crew from Wareham, ambulance paramedics and the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance were also arriving at the scene.
The beach was cleared to allow the air ambulance to land and its critical care staff took over the treatment of the teenager.
A spokesperson for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance said:
“I can confirm that Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance’s helicopter and Dorset outreach car attended an incident reported as a teenage male who had suffered a fall, in the Lulworth area.
“Our critical care team assisted at the scene of the incident and airlifted the patient to Dorset County Hospital.
“The team we provided consisted of a doctor and two specialist practitioners in critical care, who specialise in pre-hospital emergency medicine, as well as a pilot and co-pilot.”
Signs above Man O’War Beach on the Lulworth Estate warn of the dangers
Take care along the coast
This scenic stretch of the Purbeck coastline is world renown for its beauty but can also be dangerous with steep cliffs, rocky outcrops and strong tides.
Signs at the location warn beachgoers to take care, however in 2021 a man and a woman died in two separate accidents.
