THE FATHER of a student who escaped any serious injuries after falling off rocks on Swanpool beach earlier this week has spoken of his relief.
George Harris, aged 21, from the Midlands was exploring the cliffs with his girlfriend and sister Emily on Thursday afternoon when he slipped and fell about eight feet.
A major rescue operation involving the coastguard, ambulance and RNAS Culdrose search and rescue helicopter followed and the business student was airlifted to the Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske in Truro shortly after 3pm.
Since the rescue Paul Harris, a teacher from the Midlands but who is originally from Falmouth, has spoken of the ordeal and his gratitude for the local emergency services.
The 53-year-old explained: "We all had some lunch and afterwards the three of them set off to walk on the rocks where they used to play when they were young while my wife and I walked along the coastal footpath heading towards Gyllyngvase.
"We got to the top of the hill when I received a call from my daughter saying my son had slipped and fallen down onto some rocks.
"We started running down the path and could see a lot of people around my son with two members of the public holding his head. I thought he was in a bad way and thought this was really serious as he wasn't moving.
"After a couple of minutes an ambulance crew and the rescue helicopter arrived and he was airlifted to Treliske."
His son was treated for superficial cuts and bruises and was discharged from the hospital later that evening.
His father has since praised the local emergency services for their quick response.
He continued: "At the time we did not really know how bad he was and when he did not move I thought this can't be good.
"He still doesn't remember anything from the fall.
"They have been on the rocks hundreds of times as we visit Falmouth often. We used to worry about them when they were younger but when they get to this age you think they'll be okay.
"The public and the emergency services were fantastic and as a Cornishman living in the Midlands and returning frequently with family to Falmouth it made me very proud to see the Duchy in action in a time of need.
"Thank you Culdrose, Treliske, ambulance and paramedic crews, coastguard support and members of the public. We owe you."
The family returned back to the Midlands yesterday evening.
