Incredible rescue after teen plunges off cliff at popular Sydney beach
A dramatic rescue operation has been carried out in Sydney after a teenager fell eight metres off cliffs onto rocks below.
Locals watched on in horror as crews rushed in to help the 17-year-old girl who had fallen from the cliff at the south end of Coogee beach on Saturday.
A gathering crowd lined the cliff edge at Trenery Reserve as they gazed on at emergency teams with bated breath.
The intricate rescue mission began with lifeguards first swimming to the patient from the waters edge.
Paramedics then accessed the site before she was airlifted in a delicate operation to Royal North Shore Hospital.
“Those guys in the helicopter I mean they’re just absolute heroes,” one bystander said.
Remarkably the teen was winched to safety, with only minor injuries.
Yet with a highly charged scene and little information of the girl’s condition relayed to onlookers, many were left visibly emotional.
“You know it’s heartbreaking for everybody. A lot of these people looking at this operation today were crying,” a witness said.
Residents say the stretch where the girl fell is notorious for people slipping.
“Todays event is just one of many that’s happened over the years,” one resident recalled.
Another told said their friend, who was 16 at the time, had fallen from the same cliffs 10 years ago.
