Girl airlifted to hospital after beach cliff fall in Cornwall

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A teenager has been airlifted to hospital after suffering a back injury sustained when she jumped off a cliff on the beach in Cornwall.

The underage teenager allegedly drank a large amount of vodka at a beach party before jumping off the cliff at the Towans in Hayle.

A police spokesperson told This is Cornwall: "Many of those gathered had done so to enjoy themselves responsibly, some were playing on the beach, swimming and having a barbecue.
"However there were a large number who had brought alcohol with them, alcohol which ranged from lager and cider to much stronger spirits.

"Upon police attendance there was generally a good reception to police presence, and most handed over alcohol with no problems at all. The assembled group were advised to enjoy their afternoon responsibly and to clear up after themselves.

"There was unfortunately a small minority who did not comply with police requests to behave responsibly. RNLI lifeguards made a call to police with concerns over more alcohol being consumed in the area and young people under the influence going into the water."

The girl in question fell around 14 feet straight on to her back. She was airlifted to a local campsite where she was transferred to a land ambulance and taken to Royal Cornwall Hospital in Treliske for treatment.

PC John Fulker of Hayle Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "On this occasion many hours of emergency services time has been occupied by the actions of a young person who has been unwisely consuming alcohol in a location which is potentially dangerous given their drunken state.

"Four police officers, five RNLI lifeguards, six paramedics and the crew of the air ambulance have been involved in the medical and transport aspects of this incident. This is what we do, and I would like to praise the professionalism of all the personnel from the different agencies. But I have to be concerned about the continued issues arising from young people who are not old enough to consume alcohol, and most especially the issues arising from them doing so in dangerous locations like the Towans."

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