Man rescued after 'complex' three-hour operation

A man is recovering in hospital following a three-hour rescue after he fell down a cliff.

Firefighters found the man "in difficult and challenging terrain" at the bottom of a gully on a cliff face at Gronez Castle, near St Ouen, on Thursday evening.

The team gave the man medical care and used specialist rope techniques to move him to safety over "steep and complex terrain" while a helicopter provided extra light, Jersey Fire and Rescue Service said.

The service said the man was in a stable condition and "recovering from injuries consistent with a fall from height".

Station manager Ryan Hall said: "Due to the casualty's location, the steep and complex terrain, and the significant distance involved in reaching a suitable point of safety, it became clear that a technically challenging rescue operation would be required."

"We were in precarious position and we had to work relatively quickly," he added.

Firefighters worked with the coastguard, ambulance service, air rescue drone and helicopter teams during the rescue.

The coastguard said it requested the attendance of a UK helicopter.

It said: "While this was being arranged, Fire and Rescue Service personnel were able to utilise their specialist line-rescue skills and equipment to begin moving the casualty towards a safe area.

"Through the application of specialist rope-rescue techniques and effective teamwork, crews successfully brought the casualty up the cliff to a safe location.

"The rescue operation continued for more than three hours before the casualty was successfully transferred to the care of on-scene paramedics and transported to hospital."

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