DRAMATIC footage shows an injured climber plucked to safety by helicopter from the bottom of 70ft cliffs and just a few feet away from raging seas.
Helen Jayne Palmer fell about two metres while climbing directly underneath the Neist Point Lighthouse on the Isle of Skye on Friday afternoon.
Helen, who was too badly injured to climb out, was lucky that a member of public was able to call 999.
Footage released by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) shows the view from inside the rescue helicopter as rescuers battle 50mph winds to winch Helen aboard.
Another shots zooms out from the scene at the bottom of the cliff to show just how dangerous a situation the casualty was in. Huge waves can be seen striking the rocks a few feet away.
Helen, who later praised her “hero” rescuers, was later flown to the nearby Stornoway Airport where she was met by an ambulance who took her to Western Isles Hospital.
Posting the footage the MCA wrote: “The female rock climber, reported to be in her early 20s, was rescued this afternoon after falling about 2 metres directly underneath Neist Point Lighthouse on the Isle of Skye.
“HM Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public just after 1pm today reporting that a climber had sustained a lower leg injury after falling and needed medical assistance.
“Portree, Dunvegan and Kyle Coastguard Rescue Teams, Leverburgh All Weather Lifeboat and the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter were all sent to the scene.
“The young climber was winched into the helicopter and taken to Stornoway Airport where she was met by the Scottish Ambulance Service for onward transfer to the Western Isles Hospital. We wish her a speedy recovery.”
Helen has since taken to the clip to thank the team for rescuing her and praised them for their tea making skills.
She said: “Thank you all so much again! True Heroes! And really good crack #amazingcupoftea.”
Dozens of social media users have left messages praising the rescue team for their life-saving efforts.
David Faragher wrote: “Tough one, well done all concerned.”
Danielle Lowden said: “Omg Helen Jayne Palmer, hope you’re OK so far from home too.
“Always love seeing your adventures but not this one. Hope you get home soon and out of pain.”
Brian Harrison wrote: “She is one lucky lady.”
Neist Point is regarded as one of Scotland’s most famous lighthouses and is found on the westerly tip of Skye.
Helen told today how she had to “shimmy” her way up the rocks, despite her broken leg, to get away from the rising tide.
Helen, from Sunderland, said: “We booked a climbing day with an adventure company on the Isle of Skye and we headed off to Neist point.
“The day started great, learning lots of new things. Unfortunately while climbing I put my right foot into a hold and went to follow up with the left leg.
“My right foot slipped and I fell onto the rock below, breaking my leg instantly.
“The guide and my partner both did all they could to keep me safe and calm.
“I had to move up the rocks a few times to get away from the waves and the tide.”
She added that help arrived within half an hour of making the emergency call.
“The winchman was the calmest most professional man and got straight to work with making me safe and comfortable and pain free,” said Helen.
“What didn’t feel like very long I was being winched up into the helicopter. I felt 100% safe.”
She added: “I travelled in the helicopter to Stornoway and we had a bit of a wait for the ambulance.
“The crew kept my chatting and kept my spirits up, and one of the crew made me the best tasting cup of tea I had ever had.
“From then on I have had fast professional and beyond caring people from the Stornoway Hospital care for me like I was their own daughter and my partner their son.
“We had no money, no clothes, just the stuff we had with us climbing.”
Helen had to have an operation the following day where medics put a metal rod from her knee downwards to fix the bone.
She is leaving Stornoway today to travel back down to Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.
