Falmouth Coastguard swung into action at the weekend after a male Italian climber aged between 30 and 35 fell about 150 feet at Bosigrain Cliff in West Cornwall.

The casualty was unconscious, but breathing. He was not wearing any protective head gear and had jeans and a grey sweater on and was climbing by himself. He was not using any ropes, and contained in his rucksack was a return rail ticked to Exeter dated today, coastguards were told.

The St Just Coastguard Rescue Team were immediately turned out and a rescue helicopter from the Royal Naval Air Station at Culdrose was scrambled. An ambulance was also called to the scene.

The Coastguard Team was with the man when the helicopter arrived to airlift him to hospital in Truro.

Mark Thomas, Watch Officer at Falmouth Coastguard said: "This chap was in a severe condition when he was winched into the helicopter. We just cannot understand why he was climbing on his own without any ropes or helmet. The cliff faces in Cornwall are renowned for their spectacular views and moderate difficulties, but without any safety harness or buddy climber, one false step can lead to injury or death.

Local police were attempting to identify the man from various documents found in his rucksack.