Helicopter scrambled to person ‘slipping down’ Eastbourne cliffs

At about 9.20pm the HM Coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-Solent received the emergency call and was joined by Sussex Police and Birling Gap and Eastbourne Coastguard Rescue Teams to search for the man.

A HM Coastguard spokesperson said he was found close to a memorial and was taken to the top of the cliffs after a joint effort between the coastguard rescue teams and the helicopter.

Sussex Police said, “Police were called to Beachy Head at 8.45pm on Tuesday (June 2) to reports of a man fallen off a cliff.

“Officers attended and assisted coastguard with an area search. The man - aged 53 - was located on a ledge and recovered by crews. He was taken to hospital with minor injuries and left in the care of medical staff.”

The HM Coastguard spokesperson said, “Birling Gap and Eastbourne Coastguard Rescue Teams, the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Lee-on-Solent and Sussex Police conducted a search for a person, reported to be slipping down the cliff at Beachy Head.

“The person was located close to the memorial, and recovered to the cliff top, jointly by Coastguard Rescue Teams and the helicopter before being passed into the care of the police. The initial call came into the Coastguard at 9.22pm.”

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