A WOMAN was flown to a Southampton hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries after falling approximately 70ft from cliffs.

The woman, who is believed to be in her 20s, was taken to Southampton General Hospital by Hampshire and Isle of Wight air ambulance.

A spokesman from the South Western Ambulance Service said she had suffered serious head injuries but was conscious and breathing at the scene. Her condition is described as potentially life-threatening.

Coastguard crews from Southbourne and Lymington were called to the scene at Hengistbury Head, along with police officers, paramedics and firefighters just before 11.20am.

A Southbourne Coastguard spokesman said: “We were called by the National Maritime Operation Centre in Fareham to a report of a cliff faller.

“When we got there we found the casualty was on the beach being attended by the fire service and ambulance service.

“We assisted in extricating her to the air ambulance.”

Daily Echo:

Gary Eley from Poole, who was walking his dog along the beach, came across the casualty who was being cared for by two men before the emergency services arrived.

He said: “I stayed with her for about five minutes before I heard all the sirens coming and the helicopter arrived. "One man was holding her head.

“She seemed to be conscious. I hope she will be alright.”

Joan Caile, who was also walking her dog at the popular beauty spot, said she was shocked and saddened by what had happened.

“It’s awful,” she said.

“We come down here around once a week and it’s a lovely place.

“When you see something like that it gets to your heart.”

The Coastguard spokesman said it is not clear what caused the woman to fall but urged walkers to take extra care when on the cliffs.

He said: “I would advise people to take care on the clifftops and keep animals on leads.

“The cliff edge can crumble without any notice. We have had quite a few cliff falls along the Dorset coast recently.”

Police cordoned off the area while emergency services attended to the casualty and the air ambulance landed at the scene.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.