A Paraglider had to be rescued from the sea after launching himself off cliffs near St Agnes and suffering mechanical difficulties.

https://www.rnlivideolibrary.org.uk/play/EpVbru7t

The paraglider, who was on holiday, was witnessed by several bystanders, as he took off from his standing launch site above the cliffs at Newdowns Head.

He was professionally kitted and equipped, but for an unknown reason, following his launch, he found himself in difficulty and was witnessed to glide down beyond the cliffs, landing in the sea.

Members of the public, who were watching him called 999, asking for the Coastguard. The Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Falmouth requested the launch of the St Agnes RNLI Lifeboat ‘Kenneth R Easter’, the stations current relief Lifeboat.

The lifeboat crew were paged at 5.30pm and the lifeboat launched, with a crew of Helm Adam Garland, Paul Fisher and Laura Penhaul as crew. This was Laura’s first Operational Call out as crew member.

The lifeboat headed towards the last known position of the paraglider.

In addition, and due to the potential severity of the incident, the HM Coastguard Helicopter was also scrambled, and made its way to the scene. St Agnes Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team were paged and also made there way to co-ordinate the incident.

The male casualty, in his late forties, was located by the lifeboat and recovered into the boat. Although he had no physical injuries, he was winched into the HM Coastguard Helicopter and taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, for a full medical examination following his emersion ordeal.

A spokesperson for the RNLI said: "On this occasion, the casualty had the appropriate equipment and thanks to the prompt action of witnesses, who called 999 and asked for the Coastguard, who were able to co-ordinate a prompt rescue and recovery of him.

"Once the casualty was safely recovered into the helicopter and on route to hospital, the lifeboat crew recovered his equipment from the water, for him to collect at a later date."