Exmouth RNLI volunteers were on a training exercise [yesterday] evening when they were diverted to rescue a female who had fallen between Ness Cove and Labrador Bay near Teignmouth, Devon.

At 8.03pm [on] Wednesday 10 November 2021, the volunteer crew of Exmouth RNLI all weather lifeboat 13-03 R & J Welburn were tasked by H.M. Coastguard after a call from a 56-year-old female who had fallen near cliffs between Ness Cove and Labrador Bay, Teignmouth. H.M. Coastguard Rescue Teams and Devon and Cornwall Police assisted in the assignment.

The charity's lifeboat, commanded by Coxswain, Steve Hockings-Thompson, and volunteer crew Mark Sansom, Harry Griffin, Guy Munnings, Matt Bragg, Ed Steele and James Edge immediately went to the last known location of the casualty and commenced a shoreline search. Deputy Launch Authority, Rob Anderson, coordinated the tasking.

The casualty was located by the Coastguard Rescue Team at 8.24pm atop a cliff location and her injuries were assessed. At 8.52pm H.M. Coastguard stood down the Exmouth RNLI volunteer crew once a recovery plan was in place.

Exmouth RNLI Coxswain, Steve Hockings-Thompson, said: 'This was a multi-agency response involving several other emergency search and rescue services. We were pleased to assist, respond quickly to the tasking and give what help we could to ensure this incident resulted in a positive outcome.'

The casualty was left in the care of the other specialist rescue services and the RNLI all weather lifeboat returned to Exmouth Lifeboat Station where it was back on service a short time later.