A 21-year-old City Beach man has been critically injured after falling over the edge of a cliff in Sydney’s north west.
NSW Police have confirmed the WA man suffered head injuries when he plunged 12m down the cliff just before midnight on Saturday.
A 22-year-old Sydney woman also fell and fractured her leg when she tried to climb down the cliff to help the injured man.
The pair were winched up the cliff in a dramaticxjmtzyw, five-hour rescue operation involving multiple emergency services, including officers from Kuring-gai Police Area Command, Police Rescue, NSW Ambulance and Fire and Rescue NSW.
The man was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital where he is reported to be in a critical condition.
The man and woman were with a group of people walking in bushland near Quarter Sessions Road, Westleigh, about 11.30pm when they fell.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
It’s the second cliff fall reported on Saturday, after a teenager tragically died after falling off a cliff at a popular tourist location in southeast Tasmania.
The man, 19, was on a bushwalk at Cape Deslacs, located 30 minutes southeast of Hobart, when he fell at around 3pm on Saturday.
Emergency services were called to the scene following reports of a man who was seen falling from a cliff.
A rescue helicopter was deployed to winch the man from the scene.
Despite paramedic efforts – the man died on route to hospital.
Police have confirmed that the death was not suspicious and a report would be prepared for the coroner.
Tributes have flowed on social media describing the man as “one of the best mates anyone could ask for”.
“He was one of the best mates you could of asked for did everything for you and I’m going to do the same for his family and friends to get through this – fly high man.” one user said.
“This year has already started off with so much tragedy. I don‘t think my heart can take any more,” another user said.
The Clifton Beach circuit is around two kilometres long and takes around 45 minutes.
