A CLIMBER had to be lowered 80 feet after falling on Symonds Yat Rock yesterday.

The 21-year-old man had slipped around 30 feet after losing his footing and ended up precariously resting on a crag.

Emergency services were called to the beauty spot at around 2.50pm and a rope team of firefighters decided that it would be best to lower him to the bottom of the cliffs rather than winch him back up the slope.

“Due to the fading light, the air ambulance had to depart while the rope rescue was ongoing,” said West Midlands Ambulance spokesman Murray McGregor.

“The patient eventually reached the ambulance at about 5.30pm after being carried on a stretcher for around half an hour from the bottom of the cliff.

“The climber was then taken on blue lights to Hereford County Hospital suffering from a broken hip and possible fractures to his right wrist and ribs.

“Whilst this was an extended rescue, the co-operation ensured that he was brought to safety as quickly as possible using excellent teamwork.”