Man airlifted after 50ft fall from Dalkey Quarry cliff

A man was airlifted to hospital following a 50ft fall off a cliff at the Dalkey Quarry on Killiney Hill in south Dublin on Wednesday afternoon.

Efforts to rescue him were complicated as he had fallen on to a ledge in the cliff side as opposed to the quarry floor.

A multi-agency response – consisting of a Coast Guard helicopter, the Dún Laoghaire Coast Guard unit specialist cliff team and Dún Laoghaire fire brigade – was mounted to rescue him from the scene.

Paramedics were aided in reaching the man, aged in his early 30s, where he received initial treatment before being airlifted to Beaumont Hospital. There was also a doctor on site. The nature and extent of his injuries are not known.

Initial efforts to lower a winch from the helicopter were hampered by its powerful downdraft, necessitating the deployment of a specialist cliff rescue team.

The defunct Dalkey Quarry is a popular spot for walkers and climbers.