9-year-old critical following Coffs Harbour cliff fall

Family outing takes terrifying turn after 9-year-old boy falls ‘eight to ten’ metres and is pinned under large boulder.

Two young boys fell from a cliff near Coffs Harbour's south wall on Saturday October 2. Photo: Tim Jarrett

A family outing has taken a horrifying turn after two boys fell up to ten metres down a cliff face, with one being flown to hospital with serious injuries.

It is understood the two boys were climbing on a rock face at the derelict quarry close to Coffs Harbour’s southern breakwall when a rock dislodged and the pair fell.

Inspector Chris Wilson with NSW Ambulance said the boys had fallen about “eight to ten” metres and while one of the boys was able to walk away and get assistance from his family, the other was trapped under a large boulder.

“There were family members and bystanders that were assisting emergency services on scene,” he said.

“It appeared to be a family outing where the two boys may have been a bit adventurous.”

After assistance from emergency services, the boys were taken to Coffs Harbour airport where one was flown by Westpac Rescue Helicopter to John Hunter hospital and the other was deemed stable and taken to Coffs Harbour Health Campus.

The former quarry at Coffs Harbour’s southern breakwall. Photo: Tim Jarrett

The area was closed to the public for short time while emergency services worked at the scene.

Inspector Wilson said as the weather warmed up and the community should be careful and vigilant.

“Especially around our (harbour) foreshores, keep to marked paths and obey signage,” he said.

The former quarry area is known for its sheer cliff faces and Coffs Harbour SES has been known to conduct abseiling training at the site which is located at the southern end of the Harbour.