A major rescue operation was launched last night to save a man who had fallen 25 foot onto rocks.

Emergency services received a 999 call at 7.24pm to say a man had fallen into the Hayle Estuary, near Asda.

It was initially thought he had fallen into the harbour water, but police have since said the fall was onto rocks. 

Fire crews from Tolvaddon, Hayle, Penzance and Falmouth, along with technical rescue officers, were sent.

Joining them were police and ambulance service, with the coastguard rescue helicopter also scrambled.

A Cornwall Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: "One casualty was lifted out of the estuary using specialist lifting equipment and handed over to the coastguard rescue helicopter."

Portreath Coastguard Rescue Team was also scrambled to help.

A spokesperson said: "Portreath CRT provided a helicopter landing site within Asda car park for Coastguard Rescue 924 to land.

"Once the casualty was handed over to 924 the team were able to stand down and return to station ready for the next call.

"This was a good example of multi agency working and thanks must go to the other agencies involved."

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: "Police received a report at around 8pm that a man has slipped and fallen 25 feet onto rocks below, near Foundry Square, Hayle.

"A man in his 30s was airlifted to Derriford for assessment for non-life-threatening injuries."