Cyclist rescued after plunging 98ft over edge between Hordle cliff and Taddiford Gap at Milford

MULTIPLE rescue teams rushed to help a cyclist who plunged 98ft over the cliff at Milford this afternoon (Thursday).

The male casualty had to be winched up by a helicopter after plunging around 98ft from the clifftop path between Hordle Cliff and Taddiford Gap.

The coastguard, paramedics, police and fire crews were dispatched after the alarm was raised around 2.30pm.

Clifftop rescue specialists set up winch equipment before lowering a paramedic to the casualty as a coastguard helicopter landed on the clifftop.

One of the coastguard team at the scene told the A&T the cyclist had gone over the edge while riding on the outer clifftop path.

“The cyclist has got an injured leg and a possible concussion,” he said.

“He’s in the care of a paramedic doctor down there, and will be winched up by helicopter before being taken to hospital.”

A rescuer was then lowered from the helicopter before bringing the casualty up on a stretcher.

He was then flown back to the clifftop and handed over to paramedics after the three-hour rescue operation.

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said: "HM Coastguard received a call from the police at around 2.40 this afternoon (7th March) 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."

• This story has been amended from an earlier version which said the fall was around 40ft.