Cameron Baker joined crew members in rescue of injured dog

One of Sidmouth Lifeboat’s newest recruits marked an unforgettable 21st birthday as he rushed to rescue an injured dog - which had fallen down a cliff - on his first-ever call-out.

Cameron Baker had been enjoying a day off, walking in The Byes with his dad, when his pager went off last Thursday morning. The ‘fantastic’ trainee did not hesitate to respond when duty called.

The lifeboat was launched at 11.45am to assist the Exmouth Coastguard Rescue Team search for a Labrador named Star, who had gone over a sheer cliff edge and was found on the shore near Budleigh Salterton.

Sidmouth’s lifeboat, with operations manager Phil Shepperd at the helm, was steered through rocks near the base of the cliff and Cameron, along with colleague Jim Brewster, went ashore to rescue the injured dog.

Star was conscious, but in pain, and was carried on a stretcher to the lifeboat, then transported by water to Budleigh, where she was rushed to a veterinary clinic for treatment.

Cameron, a live events project manager, said: “I was just in The Byes walking the dog with my dad. I had the day off because it was my birthday and then the pager went off.

“It was just one of those things – it was a 21st birthday you do not normally get. I was quite excited because it was my first call and it was on my 21st.

“It was quite a buzz because we had done something good. We never know what we are going to and there are no good shouts, but I was quite pleased to have that for my first call. It’s nice to have a happy ending.”

Operations manager Phil said: “Cameron is a trainee crew member and it was his first call-out. He was fantastic. We took the boat over to the base of the cliff and Cameron was one of two that went ashore and got the dog on a stretcher and into the boat.”

Star was treated for a broken hip and head injuries, but is believed to be on the road to recovery.

Mark Wearing, of Sidmouth Lifeboat, drove the tractor on the day of the rescue and the whole team wished Star a speedy recovery.