RESCUE teams were scrambled to a quarry to find a man who had fallen from cliffs in darkness.

The land and rope team from the Severn Area Rescue Associations’s Beachely base were among those who raced to Woodcroft Quarry on Friday (January 25) shortly before 8pm after reports that someone had fallen near Wintour’s Leap.

They helped locate the 52-year-old casualty who was then airlifted out by the Coastguard helicopter in a hazardous operation and reportedly flown to Southmead Hospital in Bristol.

A SARA Beachely spokesperson posted online: “Last night our land and rope team was tasked by Gloucestershire Constabulary to locate and evacuate a person who had fallen from cliffs in the Lower Wye Valley.

“Working with sister team SARA Tewkesbury, and members of the Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and Chepstow Coastguard, the person was located and moved to a suitable location for evacuation by the Coastguard helicopter to hospital. Our thoughts are with the casualty.”

Rescuers had to secure the area for the helicopter and provide a hi-line to stabilise the winch.

Several villagers who witnessed the rescue later posted their praise for the rescue operation.

Geraldine Weir said: “Watched the rescue work for over 30 years while living here in Woodcroft; the worry always there it’s going to be serious, thank god for all the response teams… paid or volunteers, they all risk their lives, bless you all.”

Emily Van Der Heij- den added: “An amazing helicopter pilot, and an amazing team. In a quarry, on the riverside, in the dark. Thank you for the risks you take.”