Car over cliff IN THE EARLY HOURS of Wednesday October 22, 1980, Paignton Police informed Brixham Coastguard that a car was over the cliff three miles from Torbay lifeboat station. The Police, Fire and Ambulance services were alerted and Torbay lifeboat, the 54ft Arun Edward Bridges (Civil Service No. 37) was launched at 0035 under the command of Coxswain Arthur Curnow.

The car, badly damaged with a severely injured man inside, was found about 100 feet above the waterline. The cliff face was illuminated by searchlights from three fire engines and from the lifeboat and, while firemen, police and coastguard climbed down the cliff, the lifeboat's inflatable dinghy was launched manned by Assistant Mechanic John Hunkin, Crew Member Derek Winning and Crew Member John Ashford, who is also an ambulance driver. A fresh to strong breeze, force 5 to 6, was blowing from the south west, and the approach to the rocky shore had to be made through rough seas and a ten-foot swell.

John Ashford, with the help of the coastguard and firemen, managed to get the man out of the car and lower him in a stretcher to the inflatable dinghy.

Attended by John Ashford the injured man was transferred to the lifeboat and taken to Torquay where an ambulance was waiting. The other helpers were also put ashore. The lifeboat then returned to the scene to recover her inflatable dinghy before returning to station at 0248.

For this service a letter signed by Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director of the Institution, expressing theInstitution's appreciation to the lifeboat crew, and in particular to Crew Member John Ashford, was sent to Captain B. J. Anderson, Torbay station honorary secretary..