Helicopter Assistance at Durlston

The team has been back in action today assisting an elderly gentleman who'd lost his footing and taken a tumble whilst out walking the Coast Path, and who'd become faint as a result.

Arriving before the medical services, the team stabilised the gentleman and set about checking him over for any physical injuries as well as monitoring his general condition.

The team prepped the stretcher in readiness for a carry out of approx two thirds of a mile, but when it became apparent that the ambulance might be delayed, Rescue Helicopter 175 was despatched along with its winchman paramedic.   The winchman made further checks and although he could find nothing untoward, it was agreed that the gentleman should be assessed in the ambulance which had by now arrived at Anvil Point lighthouse.

skillful work from the helicopter pilot to land on one wheel on the side of a hill, yet keep the machine level

Rather than physically carry the gentleman a fair distance over tricky terrain the helicopter made a single wheel 'light' landing on the sloping hillside sufficient to quickly load the stretcher aboard, and the casualty was then flown the short distance to the ambulance.

Thanks to Steve Richards and Iain Fraser for the photos

Our thanks go to Dorset Police who assisted us on scene today, and to the Dorset Police Rib which relayed our channel 0 VHF communications to the UK Coastguard from its waterborne position below us.