A large rescue operation was triggered in Salobreña after a man twisted his ankle near the Playa del Barranco de Zafio yesterday.
The 62-year-old man and a companion were walking along the base of the cliffs to the small cove around 15.00h when he twisted his ankle and was unable to go on or back.
The rescue operation required fire-service personnel, a Guardia Civil helicopter and a mountain rescue team, as well as one of their rescue launches.
When the Guardia Civil patrol and fire vehicle arrived they realised that they couldn’t get him out without putting his life at risk. Neither could the launch get in close enough to pick him up because of the waves and wind.
Finally the Guardia Civil helicopter that had ferried the mountain-rescue team to the spot was able to winch him up to a waiting ambulance which took him to Santa Ana Hospital. The rescue operation concluded at 18.20h.
Editorial comment: does anybody else think that it was is a very large and costly rescue deployment just for a twisted ankle!
(News: Salobrena, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)