A MAN airlifted to hospital with serious head injuries and broken ribs is in a 'comfortable and stable' condition, a Dorset County Hospital confirmed.

The 63-year-old man, from Bridport, is believed to have been walking on the cliff path near Highlands End holiday park in Eype when he slipped.

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service said: "We received a call at 12.51pm on Monday.

"The incident happened along the cliff path in Eype. There was one casualty who fell 10 metres and has serious head injuries.

"An air ambulance and land ambulance attended the scene and the casualty was airlifted to Dorset County Hospital for treatment.

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the coastguard helicopter attended the incident, and added the man had a head wound and broken ribs.

They said: "The man had been out walking with others when he slipped and fell around 10 meters into the Quarry at the top of West Cliff."

"The air ambulance took the man to hospital and the coastguard helicopter was stood down."

Bridport resident Louise Goligher witnessed the rescue and offered assistance to the family of the man.

She said: "I saw the helicopters and the coastguard arrive as I was at my Mum and Dad's house and was out for a walk.

"It looked like a man had lost his footing and fell from the path at the top of West Cliff near Highlands End, hurting his head and chest.

"After the man was airlifted to hospital I spoke with his wife and family that were with him, and they seemed fine and in good spirits.

"I think he was local and I checked with his wife to that she had a car so she could get to Dorchester, and she said they did."

East Cliff resident Lesley Brinkworth said she was shocked at the man's injuries.

She said: "I was out in the garden and I heard a commotion out there (from the helicopters).

"I saw one helicopter land for about 30 minutes and then it flew off. Then another one flew off.

"I'm quite shocked, that's the path not quite close to the cliff edge so it's not where you would expect such a big fall."

She added: "The area is popular with dog walkers as it's easier to walk up that side than East Cliff."