AN elderly woman was stranded all night on a cliff-top path after taking an evening stroll.

Emergency services rushed to the scene at East Quantoxhead this morning after being alerted by a dog walker (September 21).

She was rescued by Watchet Coastguard after becoming trapped when she attempted to climb a fence.

A spokesperson said: "This morning our team were tasked to assist the ambulance service with the evacuation of an elderly female from a remote cliff top path near East Quantoxhead back to a land ambulance.

"The female casualty who had been out for an evening walk on the cliff path had attempted to climb a fence on the cliff path, causing her to become entangled and stuck. With the night drawing in, it was soon dark and no other walkers on the cliff path were in the area to hear her cries for help.

"It was not until 9am that a dog walker found the female in a distressed state on the cliff path, having not been reported missing from home overnight.

"The dog walker informed the police who contacted the ambulance service and who in turn requested the Coastguard to attend to assist with releasing the female from the wire fence and undertake the stretcher carryout of the female back to an access point for the land ambulance vehicle."

Using their knowledge of the area, the coastguard was able to reach the casualty.

The spokesperson added: "With an ambulance paramedic already on scene no medical assessment was required by our casualty carers, however the use of our alpine light cliff rescue stretcher was deemed the most suitable stretcher to use to evacuate the female to safety.

"These types of decisions are made when working in a multi agency response by using the JESIP joint decision model, ensuring all the responders capabilities are understood to ensure the best options to use to the benefit of any casualty.

"Having stretchered the female away from the location where she was found, she was transferred into the land ambulance and onward transported by the ambulance service to hospital for treatment and care following her night outside lying on the ground entangled in the fence.

"We would like to join the police in thanking the dog walker for their prompt actions on calling them, and would remind anyone venturing onto the cliff paths to carry a mobile phone and as the nights are drawing in a torch would be useful to carry.

"We wish the female well on her recovery."

The spokesperson urged people to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard in a coastal emergency.