A MAN has told of the moment he blacked out and plunged 40ft down a cliff near Hornsea.
Leigh Westerman, 29, was walking along the cliff-top at Mappleton with his partner when he blacked out and plummeted to the beach below.
Hornsea Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) was scrambled while doctors and paramedics were quickly on the scene after Mr Westerman fell just before 9pm on Sunday.
Mr Westerman, of Normanton in West Yorkshire, somehow escaped with only a fractured cheekbone, bruising to his back vertebrae and cuts and bruises.
But he admits it would have been a lot worse but for the rescuers and medical staff who helped him.
He said: "My partner and I had been to a car boot sale in Skirlington and headed to the coast afterwards.
"We walked along the cliffs in Mappleton and I stopped to look at something.
"When I stood up, I became dizzy and blacked out. Before I knew it, I was at the bottom of the cliff.
"There were people and paramedics all around me.
"I was pretty confused.
"It was only when I calmed down, felt the pain and then heard the helicopter that I realised how serious it was."
Even now, Mr Westerman cannot believe he was not more seriously injured.
He said: "At the hospital, they told me it could have been much worse but the puffa jacket I was wearing protected me.
"Also, because I had blacked out, my body was limp, which helped break the fall.
"I couldn't believe I had fallen all that way."
The rescue team was co-ordinated by Humber Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre.
Hornsea CRT attended the scene and assisted paramedics and a doctor.
The search and rescue helicopter based in Leconfield was also requested to attend.
Hornsea CRT secured a beach landing area for the helicopter while the winchman helped the doctor and paramedics.
Mr Westerman said: "I want to thank the rescuers. If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be alive. The tide was coming up fast and I would have been under the water before long.
"Part of me still doesn't believe I'm still here.
"To have fallen 40ft and almost walk away is unbelievable.
"But I also want to know more about what happened and what the rescue team did to save me.
"But I really want to show them how grateful I am."
Mr Westerman, who has an 11-year-old daughter is now back home after being treated at Hull Royal Infirmary.
Have you seen our new homepage?Bookmark hulldailymail.co.uk for the very best and exclusive local content.
