AN INJURED walker in his 70s was airlifted to hospital from the coastal path to Ballard Down.

The 73-year-old man was taken to hospital with a broken leg on Sunday.

Coastguard teams from Swanage and St Albans were tasked just after midday to a report of a male with a broken leg on the path between Sheps Hollow and Ballard Down. 

Coastguard officers provided emergency treatment and requested an aircraft due to the seriousness of the break and location of the incident. 

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The paramedic crew from the rescue helicopter provided further care to the man before the Coastguard teams assisted in a carry to the aircraft.  

The injured man was flown to Southampton hospital whilst the teams returned to their stations. 

Later in the evening both Coastguard teams were tasked again to support Dorset Police with a search for a missing person in the Studland area.

The person was located by Police releasing the Coastguard teams back to station.