A 28-year-old climber was airlifted to Morriston Hospital, Swansea, after falling an estimated 40 feet while climbing at a South Pembrokeshire beauty spot at Lydstep Headland earlier this week.

"The seriously injured climber had been climbing with two others on a route named Rock Idol on an area of Mother Carey's Kitchen known as The Great Wall," said Dave Miller, HM Coastguard sector manager for South Pembs. "Mother Carey's Kitchen is one of the premier climbing venues in Pembrokeshire."

The incident occurred late on Monday afternoon after the three climbers had accessed the area earlier in the day.

"They had abseiled down to a rock ledge at the base of the cliff at Mother Carey's and commenced climbing, with the lead climber 'topping out' around mid-afternoon," explained Mr. Miller.

"He then belayed the second climber as he made his ascent up the route. Approximately 30 minutes into the climb, the second climber fell from the cliff into a rock pool before his belay line could be arrested.

"The third climber, who was at the cliff base, attempted to recover his companion from the sea and sustained a shoulder injury in the process."

Mr. Miller continued: "The lead climber descended the abseil line to assist his companions, before returning to the cliff top to raise the alarm. He then abseiled back down the cliff to pull the seriously injured man clear of the rising tide."

The police were the first of the emergency services to arrive at the scene, including the police helicopter which illuminated the location.

MRCC Milford Haven Coastguard had received the information from Dyfed Powys Police HQ and tasked both Tenby and St. Govan's Coastguard Rescue Teams.

ARCC Kinloss was contacted for rescue helicopter support and ambulance control for medical aid, with Tenby ambulance responding.

Tenby all-weather lifeboat, Haydn Miller, was requested to launch and provide further assistance.

On arrival of the coastguard rescue teams, the cliff rescue equipment and personnel were made ready to deploy over the cliff.

Meanwhile, Tenby lifeboat arrived at the scene and deployed the Y-boat and crew to the cliff base to assess the condition of the injured climbers.

At this stage, Rescue Helicopter 169 from RAF Chivenor arrived and it was decided to hold off the other services while the helicopter crew recovered the seriously injured climber.

"This was quickly done, and due to the concern for the man, Rescue 169 departed for Morriston Hospital," added Mr. Miller.

Tenby lifeboat crew confirmed that their Y-boat crew were able to recover the man with the injured shoulder. He was transferred to the lifeboat and conveyed to Tenby and into the care of the ambulance crew for transportation to Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest.

Prior to the recovery of the injured climbers, the lead climber had returned to the cliff top to liaise with the emergency services.