RNLI rescue man from steep cliffs near Brixham

Torbay RNLI reported a Saturday afternoon shout to assist a person in difficulties on the rocks just off Churston.

A volunteer In-water Lifeboat (ILB) crew was tasked by the duty Deputy Lifeboat Authority to assist a person who had slipped down steep rocks at a cove between Churston and Elberry and was unable to get back up.

Fortunately, the man managed to attract the attention of a passing speedboat, which promptly called the HM Coastguard for assistance. However, due to the rocky terrain making a land-based rescue unsafe, the lifeboat station was called upon.

A spokesperson for the RNLI said: "Saturday afternoon shout to person in difficulties on rocks off Churston.

"A volunteer In-water Lifeboat (ILB) crew was tasked by our duty Deputy Lifeboat Authority (DLA) at 3:15pm yesterday, to assist a person who had slipped down steep rocks at a cove between Churston and Elberry, and was unable to get back up.

"The casualty managed to attract the attention of a passing speedboat who called the HM Coastguard. However, as the terrain down was too rocky to safely attempt a pick-up from land, our lifeboat station was called.

"As the incident was only a few miles from the station, we were able to help the casualty off from rocks by 3:20pm and were back at the station by 3:30pm.

"No injuries (apart from a little pride perhaps), but well worth the call out because those rocks can be very tricky and potentially quite dangerous, especially when wet."