RNLI crews responded to a woman who was injured after sustaining a heavy fall onto rocks last week.

At 5.30pm on Friday, July 13, RNLI Salcombe launched both the all-weather lifeboat (ALB) and inshore lifeboat (ILB) after reports of a medical incident on the rocks near Gammon Head.

Once on the scene and alongside the rocks, two volunteer ILB crew were able to transfer to the rock to assess the casualty’s condition. Upon examination, the crew volunteers, both with casualty care training, confirmed the woman had sustained back injuries consistent with those of a heavy fall on the rocks and was in considerable pain.

To help stabilise and secure the casualty, extra resources were obtained from the ALB, including a basket stretcher, pain relief and another crew member. Once stabilised, the crew were able to execute a smooth transfer of the woman from the rocks to the ILB, and then onto the ALB for continued injury care and the return to shore.

Upon arrival to Salcombe Harbour, the woman remained onboard the ALB awaiting the arrival of an ambulance for onward transfer to Torbay Hospital.

According to Salcombe RNLI press officer David Dancox, she has since been released from hospital and returned to give a sincere thanks to the lifeboat station.