A MAN survived a 200ft fall with only a broken leg and wrist while trying to rescue his dog.

The man fell over an almost sheer cliff near Cloughton, just north of Scarborough.

Rescuers initially feared the worst, but when they reached him, they discovered he had suffered only a broken leg and a broken wrist.

His dog survived with only minor injuries.

The incident happened shortly after 4pm on Monday as the man tried to reach his dog, which had fallen over the precipice, known as Little Cliff, shortly before.

He stumbled and fell, landing in an awkward position at the bottom.

A passer-by called the Coastguard, who immediately notified police, who contacted RAF Leconfield, east Yorkshire.

A Sea King rescue helicopter was scrambled and was able to reach the scene and join other rescuers within minutes.

After a difficult rescue operation the man, together with his dog, was picked up by the helicopter and airlifted to Scarborough General Hospital.

He remained in hospital yesterday.

The man has yet to be named, but is thought to be a tourist from Rochdale, Lancashire, who was holidaying in the area.

Police yesterday spoke of their amazement at the man’s survival, and praised the rescuers.

Inspector Bruce Prendergast said: “It is absolutely remarkable that this man has survived a 200ft fall down the cliff face and escaped with injuries that are serious, but not life-threatening.

“It is testament to the hard work and bravery of the Coastguard and helicopter crew, who managed to extract the man from the bottom of the cliff in difficult circumstances, that he and his dog survived.”