A 68-year-old cyclist was airlifted to hospital on Thursday after plunging more than 40 feet off a cliff at Milford-On-Sea.

Rescue teams from HM Coastguard, Hampshire Constabulary, Hampshire Fire Service and St John Ambulance were called to a cliff edge at Taddiford Gap at around 2.30pm yesterday (Thursday, March 7).

A 68-year-old male cyclist had veered off the path between Hordle Cliff and Taddiford Gap, which resulted in him plunging 40 feet over the end of a dangerous cliff.

Despite only suffering minor injuries, the cyclist had to be winched up by a helicopter and taken to hospital.

The rescue operation took three-hours and the 68-year-old suffered a possible concussion as well as minor injuries from the fall.

A coast guard spokesperson said: “HM Coastguard received a call from the police at around 2.40pm on March 7 saying a person had fallen off their bike and over the cliff at Milford-On-Sea.

Southbourne and Lymington coastguard rescue teams, a coastguard helicopter, the police, fire and ambulance service were all sent.

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The person was winched to the top of the cliff by the coastguard helicopter where they were passed into the care of the ambulance service.

Hampshire police were also in attendance at the scene of the incident to assist the coast guard operation.

A Spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: “We were called at 2.30pm, March 7, to reports of a man having fallen off his bike and over the cliff edge at Taddiford Gap.

“We were joined by colleagues from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, the Coastguard, South Central Ambulance Services and the Hazardous Response Team who worked together to bring the cyclist to safety.

“The 68-year-old, from New Milton, suffered minor cuts and bruises but was taken to hospital as precaution.

“The footpath at the top of the cliff was closed while we dealt with the incident.”