Sidmouth lifeboat crew help bring injured woman to safety in late-night rescue

Sidmouth lifeboat was called out last night (Monday, June 21) to help rescue a woman with a suspected broken and dislocated ankle at Littlecombe Shoot, near Branscombe.

The casualty was staying in a cabin just off the beach.

Beer Coastguard Rescue Team was called at 11.05pm and met up with the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) at Berry Barton Farm. Members of HART and the coastguard team travelled in 4x4s down the track to the top of the East path.

As they walked down the slippery path, it became obvious that the coastguards would not be able to carry a stretcher with the casualty back up the path, so they requested the launch of Sidmouth lifeboat to evacuate her by sea.

On arrival at the cabin, the coastguards had to lower the casualty down a narrow 12-step metal staircase to the beach. Because it was low water and there were rocks, they then had to carry her 450m to a location where Sidmouth lifeboat could safely get ashore.

Both Sidmouth Lifeboat and Sidmouth 2 launched. Despite the swell, total darkness and numerous submerged rocks, Coxswain Guy Bennett managed to get the bow of the lifeboat onto the beach for long enough to allow the casualty to be taken aboard in a stretcher and brought safely back to Sidmouth.

Following a net recovery, the casualty was transferred to South Western Ambulance Service.

Lifeboat crew: Guy Bennett (Helm); Dave Pearce, Kyle Baker, Toby Hoggarth, Tony Martin, Martin Barnard.

Shore crew: Jim Brewster, Katrina McIlveen, Mark Davies, Andy Mitchell, Pete Rosenfeld, Andy Horsely, Cameron Baker

Tractor Driver: Ian Fletcher

DLA: Phil Shepperd