A TEENAGER is in hospital with serious head injuries after plunging 60 to 70ft at an East Cleveland beauty spot.
The 17-year-old from Middlesbrough was on a climbing trip on Saturday when he slipped from the crags at Highcliffe in Guisborough Woods, sustaining injuries to his head, chest and pelvic area.
It is understood the young man was connecting a safety line with his father when a rock gave way.
The Great North Air Ambulance was first on the scene at around 2.30pm but had to land at the top of the cliffs.
Search and Rescue crews were called to assist and the teenager was taken on a stretcher to the top of Highcliff where the air ambulance was waiting.
Doctors and paramedics made the youngster stable before he was airlifted to the accident and emergency unit at James Cook University Hospital, where it is believed he remains in a critical condition today.
Jane Peacock, of the Great North Air Ambulance said: “The 17-year-old male had fallen 60 to 70ft down the cliff.
“Dr Simon Le Clerc and paramedic Andrew Mawson were at the scene. The young lad was in a difficult place, so we required the mountain rescue team to come out. They were fantastic.
“The young lad had head injuries and other multiple injuries and was treated at the scene before being airlifted to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.”
Barry Warrington, a spokesman for the Search and Rescue Team, said: “This was a very serious incident in which the Air Ambulance Service, the Ambulance Road Crews and the Cleveland Search and Rescue Team worked as one co-ordinated team in order to ensure the young man was treated on scene and then transported to hospital as quickly and effectively as possible.
“It was a very steep climb up the cliff to the air ambulance, but it is a routine we practice on an extremely regular basis.
“Sadly, this incident was the most serious we have dealt with this year.
“Sixteen members of the Search and Rescue Team attended the call-out. This was the 25th call-out for the Cleveland Search and Rescue Team so far this year.”
Last July, 66-year-old Maureen Anne Wilkinson, from Nunthorpe, died after falling 30-40ft from Highcliff Nab.
" He was like just want have a look. I managed to get him to stop looking over the edge. What a prat he is. If that had been him then..........
