Hastings Coastguard team, together with colleagues from flanks stations HM Coastguard – Bexhill and HM Coastguard Rye Bay , were tasked following the report of a person having fallen of the cliffs at the West Hill Hastings and become wedged in a crack. Given the location and potential injuries there was a multi agency response and they were quickly joined on scene by East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (ESFRS) crews and their rope rescue teams from #battle and bexhill , South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust ambulance crews and , paramedic officers , SECAmb HART , Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance and officers from Sussex Police.
The casualty was located in a technically challenging location and they worked together with and supported ESFRS rope rescue team who carried out the technical rescue and recovered the casualty to the bottom of the cliffs and the awaiting HEMS crew for assessment. They then assisted recovering the casualty to the ambulance at the top of the cliffs where he underwent further assessment and was transported to the next level of care, as a precaution for further assessment.
The Coastguard were also asked to secure the helicopter landing site to enable the air ambulance to depart safely, due to the large crowds that had formed.
It was a fantastic example of multiple agency working.
Remember to take care when walking near cliffs and if you get into difficulty or see someone in difficulty do not hesitate to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard
