Motorist who plunged off cliff escapes with minor injuries

Talk about a cliff-hanger! Driver cheats death after her red Mini plunges off steep Isle of Man cliff-edge – and miraculously lands on rocky bank above the sea

• Rescuers used a crane to lift the stranded red Mini to safety on the Isle of Man 

A motorist has miraculously escaped with minor injuries after the car she was driving plunged off a cliff.

Dramatic pictures from the daring three-hour rescue show the car stuck far down the rocky precipice with crashing waves below.

Rescuers appear to have used ropes to descend towards the wrecked red Mini near Port Soderick, on the Isle of Man, from the steep bank by the road overlooking the sea.

Brave fire crews worked by torchlight to save the stranded hatchback – with a light on the end of a fire engine’s crane illuminating the scene. 

The smashed-up vehicle can later be seen in midair as it was lifted to safety – dangling on the end of a huge crane above the rugged landscape.

Dramatic pictures from the daring three-hours rescue show the car stuck far down the rocky precipice with crashing waves below

Brave fire crews worked by torchlight to save the stranded hatchback – with a light on the end of a fire engine’s crane illuminating the scene

Rescuers appear to have used ropes to descend towards the wrecked red Mini near Port Soderick, on the Isle of Man, from the steep bank by the road overlooking the sea

The smashed-up vehicle can later be seen in midair as it was lifted to safety – dangling on the end of a huge crane above the rugged landscape

The only significant damage appeared to be from the car’s bumper, which is hanging off. 

The woman was rescued by fire crews and coastguards after her car landed on the cliff.

Fire crews said she climbed out of the vehicle herself after the crash, which happened at about 11.15pm on Thursday, but needed help to get back to the road.

Police said she was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

A fire service spokesperson said: ‘The single occupant of the vehicle had self-extricated but required assistance from the emergency services to get to a place of safety.

‘Fire crews and the coastguard worked together to set up a rescue system for casualty recovery.

‘Fire crews and the coastguard remained in attendance for three hours to assist in the recovery of the vehicle.’

The woman was rescued by fire crews and coastguards after her car landed on the cliff

Fire crews said she climbed out of the vehicle herself after the crash, which happened at about 11.15pm on Thursday, but needed help to get back to the road

Reacting to the shocking photos, island locals took to social media to share their amazement at the driver’s lucky escape

Reacting to the shocking photos, island locals took to social media to share their amazement at the driver’s lucky escape.

One said: ‘The car doesn’t look as bad as I expected, very lucky person that it didn’t crumple.’

Another, Wendy Williams, added: ‘Crikey! I bet the driver thought it was good night Vienna!’

And a third – Ali Pate – said: ‘Wow someone has had a lucky escape. Well done to all the emergency services.’

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