India News

Fisherman falls off 20m cliff

A fishing trip in the state’s south-west ended in a five hour rescue after one fisherman fell off a 20-metre cliff on Saturday night.

Manjimup SES manager Ian Bennett said a group of about 10 men, who were in their mid-20s, were heading to Fish Creek near Pemberton when one of them stumbled on rocky terrain and slipped down the cliff face at 5pm.

Fifteen rescuers from Pemberton police, Northcliffe SJA and south-west SES units spent five hours in windy and cold conditions trying to lift the 24-year-old man out of the area.

One rescuer abseiled down the cliff as the rough weather conditions prevented the use of a helicopter.

“We had to send a rescue member over the cliff face and put the guy in a stretcher and bring him up the same way,” Mr Bennett said.

“He broke his arm and we treated him as having internal and back injuries as we always do with rescues.

“His friends did well. They managed to get down to him and keep him warm and look after him until we got there.

He was taken to Manjimup District Hospital.