Recent training by coastguards in Cumbria saw them engage in a mock scenario involving a fisherman overdue for returning home.

This sparked a search during which he was found having taken a tumble off his bike, falling down a wall and embankment area, a spokesperson from Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team said describing their training exercise which happened this week in Parton.

“In the initial phase, the OIC (officer in charge) established a search plan, with one of the three search teams swiftly locating him within 1km.

“Whilst initial attempts to access the casualty through the thick and dense brambles was underway, an alternative technical rope rescue system was also being established, which proved to be the most effective and safer access and extraction in the end.

“A rope rescue technician, accompanied by a team medic was lowered to the scene to assess and stabilise the casualty.

“Due to no injuries, the casualty was recovered on the rope system in a rescue sling rather than a stretcher.

“This type of training emphasises how the initial phase of any of our taskings commences with some degree of search to locate the casualty before methods of access and extraction can be established, along with casualty care procedures,” the spokesperson added.