A RESCUE operation was launched by the coastguard after a man was injured while walking on a coast path in Beer.

A RESCUE operation was launched by the coastguard after a man was injured while walking on a coast path in Beer.

The 50-year-old man, who was on holiday from Surrey, fell at Hooken, near Beer head last Thursday and sustained a broken and dislocated ankle.

Paramedics were called to the scene at around 1pm and requested the help of the coastguard helicopter to airlift the man to hospital.

The operation proved difficult as the helicopter could not hover low as the lack of wind in the valley would make the aircraft difficult to control.

Terry Hoare, of Beer Coastguard, said: "The helicopter had to winch him from a height of 300 feet.

"When the stretcher, casualty and winch man were lifted they were flown up through the valley just above the tree line for safety.

"The aircraft was then in a position to get to a lower height and winch the group up to safety."

Only three hours after this rescue mission and the coastguard were again called out to Beer.

A local fisherman reported he could see a dinghy with two people on board, near Pounds Pool Beach, and they would have difficulty getting back to Beer Beach because of the tide and offshore wind.

The team managed to climb to a spot on the cliff top where they could see the people and they indicated they were ok.

Mr Hoare said: "After observing the couple, it was obvious they could not row against the conditions and we requested the launch of Sidmouth Lifeboat.

"By the time the lifeboat arrived on scene the couple were extremely tired and glad to see them. They were taken aboard the lifeboat and taken back to Beer Beach.