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Boat: All Weather Lifeboat
Crew: Mark Pollard (Coxswain), John Blakeston, Tom Napper, Jonathan Hackwell, Sandy Procter, Stephen Bond, Neil Capper
Location: Pendennis Point, Falmouth
Shout Date: 22/01/2011 - 22:29
Weather:E 3, Slight Sea and Moderate Swell, Good Visibility, Partly Cloudy

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At 22:17 Falmouth Coastguard requested that both Falmouth All Weather and Inshore Lifeboats be launched following a report from the Police that a car had gone over the cliff from the Castle Drive on Pendennis Point. Falmouth Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team, Fire Brigade, Ambulance and Police units were also tasked to assist. A helicopter from RNAS Culdrose was also put on standby.

The All Weather Lifeboat left its pontoon berth at 22:29 and headed around Pendennis Point to join the Inshore Lifeboat which had arrived on scene at 22:27 and had placed two lifeboat crew ashore to assess the situation and provide immediate first aid. It was soon confirmed that both casualties were out of the car which had fallen 30-40ft and were in no immediate danger so once the All Weather Lifeboat arrived on scene at 22:37 it used its search lights to provide additional lighting. The Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team and Fire Brigade personnel made their way down onto the rocks to assist in the recovery of the casualties.

Once the paramedics had arrived on scene and assessed the casualties it was decided that the best way to evacuate them was by sea. Having immobilised the casualties they were transferred one at a time by stretcher to the Inshore Lifeboat and taken out to the All Weather Lifeboat which was positioned offshore. By 23:48 both casualties and their accompanying paramedics were onboard the lifeboat and at 23:58 both lifeboats headed back to the lifeboat station where the casualties were landed to waiting ambulances before being taken to Treliske Hospital.

The All Weather Lifeboat was back alongside its pontoon berth by 00:22. The lifeboat was then refuelled, and was ready for service by 00:50.

Although both casualties had only suffered minor injuries, they are extremely lucky to have survived considering the distance that the vehicle had fallen. This incident involved over fifty members of the emergency services working together and their excellent team work ensured the two casualties were reached as quickly as possible and then evacuated to hospital by the safest and quickest means.