‘Tricky’ rescue of man who fell from cliff at Godley Head

Christchurch search and rescue volunteers launched a daring rescue operation after a man fell 100 meters into a ravine on Monday evening.

Three rescuers had to swim to a patient who was stuck on the rocks below Godley Head Lighthouse with scrapes and cuts to his chest.

Sumner Coast Guard President Blair Quain said the man was lucky not to be more seriously injured.

“He was lucky he slipped and didn’t fall. If you fall like this, you can easily get a head injury.”

Coastguard volunteers and Sumner and Taylors Mistake Surf Life Saving Clubs were dispatched to the rescue mission at 6:53 p.m.

Another person who was with the patient at the time of the fall called 111. Quain did not know why the couple were in the area.

Coastguard Hamilton Jet Rescue crews first located the man approximately 14 minutes after receiving the emergency call.

The recovery was described as “difficult” due to the rescue boat having to maneuver in a narrow bay between rocks.

“It was a difficult place in a narrow little canyon.

“The water was moving back and forth a lot, so it was definitely one of the most challenging rescues we’ve ever done,” Quain said.

Two Coast Guard volunteers and a surf lifesaver swam 50 meters to the man, waiting for the wave to subside.

The victim was helped onto a raft attached to a waiting rescue boat. The raft was pulled towards the boat and rescuers helped the man aboard.

He was assessed and wrapped in warm clothing to be taken back to the Coast Guard station before being taken by ambulance to hospital for further treatment.

Quain said it was a complex rescue operation that required precision and teamwork.

“It was all about timing, and we had to leverage all of our assets to keep operations running smoothly and quickly.”

Daylight was also fading quickly, prompting a countdown for rescue efforts.

“The temperature was dropping, so we couldn’t mess around for long. We needed to get him out before it got colder and darker and all the complications that come with that.”

Volunteers monitored the rescue operation using a drone, which recorded the dramatic event on video.