Both Eastbourne lifeboats from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution were launched following reports that a hang glider had collided with the cliffs at Beachy Head.
The D-Class Inshore Lifeboat was first on scene and quickly located the casualty on the beach at Falling Sands yesterday evening at around 5:25pm, directly below the cliffs. Three members of the inshore lifeboat crew went ashore immediately to begin casualty care.
The pilot of the hang glider was found to have sustained injuries to both legs during the landing and was unable to move. Lifeboat crews assessed the situation and, due to the rocky shoreline, difficult access, and challenging sea conditions, it was decided that extraction by lifeboat would not be the safest option.
HM Coastguard was contacted, and a rescue helicopter, Rescue 363, was tasked to assist. The inshore lifeboat crew worked closely with the helicopter’s winchman paramedic to stabilise and package the casualty in preparation for airlift. Crew members supported the casualty throughout the winching operation to ensure they could be safely transferred into the aircraft.
Meanwhile, the Trent-class all-weather lifeboat remained on scene, standing by to provide additional support if required. The crew also kept a vigilant lookout for floating debris linked to the recent spillage of shipping containers in the Channel, which has raised ongoing navigational concerns.
Once the casualty had been successfully winched aboard the helicopter and flown to hospital for further treatment, both Eastbourne lifeboats were retasked by HM Coastguard to a second, unrelated incident.
A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: "A male paraglider reported to have crashed into a cliff near Beachy Head was brought to safety by an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter.
"HM Coastguard was informed at about 5.15pm on 19 January. The man was airlifted from the base of the cliff with reported leg injuries and passed into the care of the South East Coast Ambulance Service.
"Birling Gap and Eastbourne Coastguard Rescue Teams were sent, as well as the RNLI's all-weather lifeboat from Eastbourne, and Sussex Police."
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