By Martin Graham
A WOMAN had a miraculous rescue after spending the night trapped alone on rocks at the foot of a cliff without anyone knowing she was hurt.
The 33-year-old was only found purely by chance when a passing dog walker reported hearing faint cries early yesterday morning.
The woman had been out walking around 10pm in an area known as Pocklaw Slap in Eyemouth when she somehow plunged 50ft off the cliff.
The fall left her with serious head, neck and back injuries, a snapped femur and broken ankle, and unable to summon help.
But an early morning dog walker reported hearing faint cries for help at 6.30am yesterday – sparking a massive recovery operation.
Rescue services from Eyemouth, Dunbar and North Berwick were summoned to the scene and a helicopter from RAF Boulmer called to assist the efforts.
Scottish Ambulance Service were called to the incident, but were unable to attend because they had no crews in the area.
Instead an ambulance crew from North East Ambulance Service in Berwick was summoned to help the coastguard.
The casualty received pain relief and was stabilised by a paramedic who was winched down to her at the scene before being flown to be met by an ambulance which ferried her to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.
A spokeswoman for RAF Boulmer said: “We received the call at 6.43am and the helicopter was in the air by 7am with the usual crew of four on board.
“The helicopter arrived at the scene at 7.20am and a paramedic was winched down to stay with the casualty to prepare them for removal.
“The paramedic was the first person to reach the casualty since she had been there all night.
“After being airlifted to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary the helicopter was met by an ambulance who took the casualty on the final leg of the journey to hospital.”
Her condition was still being assessed.
Anne Mark works at The Tavern pub in Eyemouth said the area was a well known route for walkers.
She said: “There’s a path that runs all the way along the coast from Eyemouth to Coldingham and on to St Abbs.
“It’s very popular with walkers and dog walkers.
“There is a caravan park near to the path, there are still lots of English holiday makers there because their schools are still on holiday.
She added: “I haven’t heard about any local people being involved.”
