Cyclist’s ‘incredibly lucky’ escape after plunging nearly 100ft from cliff between Hordle cliff and Taddiford Gap at Milford

A CYCLIST was “incredibly lucky” to escape seriously injury after plunging nearly 100ft from a cliff at Milford yesterday (Thursday) afternoon.

Multiple rescue teams rushed to help the 68-year-old New Milton man who came off his bike and went over the edge between Hordle cliff and Taddiford Gap.

The fall was previous estimated by emergency services to be around 40ft.

The alarm was raised around 2.30pm, and the casualty had to be winched up by a helicopter during a three-hour operation.

But his fall was broken by a mud plateau near the bottom of the cliff, according to a Lymington coastguard spokesperson.

“This is very soft mud terrain, so he was incredibly lucky,” he said.

The Lymington crew was joined by Southbourne counterparts as a specialist rope team lowered a HART (hazardous area response team) paramedic down the cliff face.

It was initially thought the casualty, who was conscious throughout, had suffered a leg injury and possible concussion.

Once he was assessed, a rescuer was lowered from the coastguard helicopter before bringing him up on a stretcher.

It landed back up on Taddiford farmyard, where the man was transferred to a land ambulance and taken to Southampton General Hospital as a precaution.

A specialist paramedic from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance travelled with him.

But the Lymington Coastguard spokesperson said his injuries – described by Hampshire police as cuts and bruises – were considered minor.

He reminded people to dial 999 and ask for the coastguard in coastal emergencies, warning: “Be aware of danger and the proximity of steep cliffs at all times.”

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said: "HM Coastguard received a call from the police at around 2.40pm saying a person had fallen off their bike and over the cliff at Milford-on-Sea.

"Southbourne and Lymington coastguard rescue teams, a coastguard helicopter, the police, fire and ambulance service were all sent.

"The person was winched to the top of the cliff by the coastguard helicopter where they were passed into the care of the ambulance service."

In a social media post afterwards, local police thanked the public for their patience while a section of the cliff path was closed during the incident.

People took to the comments to praise the emergency crews’ response.

One wrote: “Such a relief to know it’s only minor injuries. Thanks all the services for their help for this poor chap. Must have been very frightening.”