Parachutist snagged on cliff-face

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/mid/7886589.stm

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A man was rescued after he was left clinging 200ft (61m) up a cliff when his parachute snagged while base-jumping in Ceredigion.

The RNLI and a helicopter were called to the New Quay area after receiving reports a parachutist had crashed.

The RNLI said the the man was rescued by a crew from RAF Chivenor in Devon, who winched the man to safety and flew him to hospital.

Base-jumping involves leaping from high fixed objects, with a parachute.

The RNLI said two inshore lifeboats were sent to the scene between Old Lookout and Cwmtydu shortly before 1600GMT on Tuesday.

The cliffs in the area stand about 500ft (152m) above sea level.

Martin Jones, RNLI coxswain at New Quay said: "The gentleman was very lucky the call came when it did, as it was still light enough for us to search in good conditions.

"Half an hour later and the light would have been fading fast and we may never have found him.

"We were able to direct the helicopter to his exact position and he was skilfully winched to safety and taken to hospital."

The RNLI said its two New Quay lifeboats carried out a detailed search of the area before the parachute was found in the sea.

The base jumper was then spotted through binoculars approximately 300ft down the cliffs, surrounded by undergrowth.