A WOMAN who became injured while walking on the cliffs at Cheddar Gorge was rescued by fire crews from Bridgwater, Cheddar and Shepton Mallet.

The fire service was alerted to the incident by police officers at 2.35pm on Monday, May 1. She was assisted off the cliffs and left in the care of paramedics.

A spokesperson for the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service said: "Crews from Cheddar and Shepton Mallet, together with a specialist rescue team from Bridgwater, were mobilised to Cheddar Gorge, along with specialist officers, following a request from the police for our assistance to help rescue a lady who had injured themselves whilst walking on the cliffs and were unable to make their way down safely.

"Crews from Cheddar were soon on scene liaising with the original caller and the police to assess the best way to access the casualty and and safely get them back down the cliff.

"Due to the gorge being heavily populated with holidaymakers further oncoming appliances were initially requested to hold at Cheddar Fire Station until traffic and pedestrians could be managed to allow safe passage and access for these vehicles. 

"Once the casualty was located and assessed by a specialist paramedic crews worked alongside them to transport the casualty down using a basket stretcher and lines.

They were then left in the care of the ambulance service. There were no further casualties and this incident was brought under control at 4.34pm."