Wheelchair user has ‘miraculous’ escape after falling from cliff path at Giant’s Causeway

A wheelchair user had a ‘miraculous’ escape after he fell from a cliff path at the Giant’s Causeway yesterday evening.

A full scale rescue operation got underway, with Coastguard Rescue Teams from Coleraine and Ballycastle, PSNI Officers, NIFRS personnel and paramedics.

The man had been exploring the area in his motorised wheelchair when it lost traction on a narrow path at the landmark and slid down the steep embankment, the Coastguard said.

“Luckily it came to rest after a short distance in thick brambles,” said Coleraine Coastguard.

Coastguard and NIFRS officers were quickly on scene and were able to secure the man who was still in his wheelchair, to prevent him from sliding down the embankment on to rocks below.

Using a winch at the cliff top, and with the assistance of fire service personnel on the path, the man was recovered, uninjured, back on to the safety of the pathway.

His wheelchair was then also recovered and found to be in working order.

“Miraculously, the casualty was able to steer himself, accompanied by Coastguard personnel, to a waiting ambulance where he was given a final check over by paramedics,” the Coastguard added.